Freezing food

[ali_alic]

If I bought a pack of ham today with an use by date of the 17th March, and froze it today. Once defrosted does that mean I would have 17 days in which to open it and then eat it. If not, are there any guidlelines.

Thank you

[coco pops]

If it is cooked ham why not repack into smaller amounts and take out of freezer as you want it. I would only leave it a few days after defrosting.

[ali_alic]

Its hypothetical really. Got bored one day and started reading the "storage" instructions. I know that once its open you have to eat it within a couple of days, just wondered if Freezing freezes "time" as it were or whether once defrosted it has a shorter life span.

[chazza]

It more or less works like that, I use the same guidelines for frozen chicken

[ali_alic]

Cheers Chazza - tho I doubt I'll be organised enough to remember when I froze the blessed things!!

[Zeddy]

For any ready to eats foods I wouldn't give them more than 3 days shelf life once defrosted and opened.