Freezer burn

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Freezer burn on a piece of beef

Freezer burn is a condition that occurs when frozen food has been damaged by dehydration and oxidation, due to air reaching the food.[1] It is generally caused by food not being securely wrapped in air-tight packaging.

Freezer burn appears as grayish-brown leathery spots on frozen food, and occurs when air reaches the food's surface and dries the product. Color changes result from chemical changes in the food's pigment. Freezer burn does not make the food unsafe; it merely causes dry spots in foods.[2] The food remains usable and edible, but removing the freezer burns will improve the taste.

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Inline citations[edit]

  1. ^ Library of Congress. "What is 'freezer burn?'". Everyday Mysteries: Fun Science Facts from the Library of Congress. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01.
  2. ^ "Does 'freezer burn' make food unsafe?". USFDA. Archived from the original on June 17, 2008.

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