How to Safely Thaw Frozen Foods

Never thaw food at room temperature.

There are three safe ways to defrost frozen foods:

• In the refrigerator.
• In cold water that is changed every 30 minutes.
• In the microwave. Food thawed in the microwave should be cooked immediately after thawing.

Do not re-freeze thawed food. If decided not to use it, cook it first and then freeze. The only other option is to cook the food while still frozen or partially frozen.

Food Safety Basics Rule 1: Keep it Clean