en34Freezing and storingfoodPurchasing frozen food■ Packaging must not be damaged.■ Use by the “use by” date.■ Temperature in the supermarketfreezer must be -18 °C or lower.■ If possible, transport deep-frozen foodin an insulated bag and place quicklyin the freezer compartment.Storing frozen foodInsert freezer drawers all the way toensure unrestricted air circulation.If a large quantity of food is to be placedin the freezer compartment, the food canbe stacked directly on the wire shelvesand on the floor of the freezercompartment.1. To do this, remove all the freezerdrawers.2. Pull out the freezer drawers allthe way, lift at the front and remove.Fig. $Freezing fresh foodFreeze fresh and undamaged food only.To retain the best possible nutritionalvalue, flavour and colour, vegetablesshould be blanched before freezing.Aubergines, peppers, zucchini andasparagus do not require blanching.Literature on freezing and blanchingcan be found in bookshops.NoteKeep food which is to be frozen awayfrom food which is already frozen.■ The following foods are suitable forfreezing:Cakes and pastries, fish and seafood,meat, game, poultry, vegetables, fruit,herbs, eggs without shells, dairyproducts such as cheese, butter andquark, ready meals and leftovers suchas soups, stews, cooked meat andfish, potato dishes, soufflés anddesserts.■ The following foods are not suitablefor freezing:Types of vegetables, which are usuallyconsumed raw, such as lettuce orradishes, eggs in shells, grapes,whole apples, pears and peaches,hard-boiled eggs, yoghurt, souredmilk, sour cream, crème fraîche andmayonnaise.Packing frozen foodTo prevent food from losing its flavouror drying out, place in airtight containers.1. Place food in packaging.2. Remove air.3. Seal the wrapping.4. Label packaging with contentsand date of freezing.Suitable packaging:Plastic film, tubular filmmade of polyethylene, aluminium foil,freezer containers.These products are availablefrom specialist outlets.Unsuitable packaging:Wrapping paper, greaseproof paper,cellophane, bin liners and usedshopping bags.