Why do frozen products have longer shelf-life compared to fresh foods?
It is the technology that plays an all important role in maintaining the quality, integrity and shelf-life of frozen foods. Frozen fruits and vegetables are fresh farm produce that have been blanched and frozen within hours of being picked i.e. at the peak of their freshness—thereby locking in most of the vital nutrients. However, proper storage is critical for maintaining the quality of frozen foods. Frozen foods should be stored at a temperature of -18°C or lower. Frozen foods that have just been purchased from the market should be stored within 30 minutes in the freezer, as freshness and quality at the time of freezing affects their condition. Does their nutritional composition differ from fresh foods? Frozen items are generally on par and sometimes higher in vitamins and minerals than their equivalents sold fresh. This is because freezing is an effective form of food preservation and all the pathogens that cause food spoilage are either killed or do not grow rapidly at reduced temp
