Nutrition Food Safety

Following the Thaw Laws Can Keep Your Food Safe

Summary & Participants

Knowing the right way to defrost frozen food can keep bacteria off your menu.

Medically Reviewed On: August 08, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: Because bacteria hate the cold, a freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit can keep some of your perishables safe for months. But according to a survey by the American Dietetic Association, most people don’t know how to defrost food safely.

BONNIE TAUB-DIX, RD, AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION: Two-thirds of people think that you should defrost the food on the countertop or in warm water, and that is really not a good idea. The best way to defrost food is defrost it in the refrigerator under 40 degrees. Another way would be to put it under cold water in the sink, and you may need to change that water every 30 minutes to be sure that it remains under 40 degrees.

ANNOUNCER: Keeping food under 40 degrees prevents harmful bacteria from moving in as it thaws.

BONNIE TAUB-DIX, RD, AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION: Another way might be in the microwave on the defrost cycle.

ANNOUNCER: But experts say that food defrosted in the microwave must be cooked immediately. Food can also be cooked without being thawed, as long it’s heated all the way through to the right temperature.

BONNIE TAUB-DIX, RD, AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION: The best way to find out if your food is cooked sufficiently is by using a meat thermometer.

ANNOUNCER: So remember the thaw laws next time you grab something from the freezer. And thanks for joining us on today’s Once Daily.