My first “would you eat it” - frozen fish in fridge 2 days?
August 29, 2024 10:46 AM Subscribe
I bought some frozen fish 2 days ago but when I got home realized our tiny freezer was full. On the package it says you can store 1 day in fridge. I forgot about it after the first day and now plan to cook it basically 48 hours after first putting in fridge. Seems fine?
To me, it feels like it should be fine but was surprised by the short time period written on the box. A subquestion: does overcooking (or leaving a longer time at higher temperatures than you might normally) reduce risk?
To me, it feels like it should be fine but was surprised by the short time period written on the box. A subquestion: does overcooking (or leaving a longer time at higher temperatures than you might normally) reduce risk?
For sure - I would eat without thinking. I imagine the text on the package has more to do with advice from a lawyer than food safety.
posted by coffeecat at 10:56 AM on August 29, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by coffeecat at 10:56 AM on August 29, 2024 [2 favorites]
I would definitely eat it. unless it smells. fish is handy that way. you will KNOW if it is bad.
posted by supermedusa at 11:00 AM on August 29, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by supermedusa at 11:00 AM on August 29, 2024 [1 favorite]
Smell it. If it smells fishy then you probably shouldn't eat it. Otherwise go for it.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:00 AM on August 29, 2024
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:00 AM on August 29, 2024
Most of the time it takes more than one day for fish to thaw in my fridge. I'd 100% eat it (unless it smells bad).
posted by spamloaf at 11:02 AM on August 29, 2024
posted by spamloaf at 11:02 AM on August 29, 2024
The reason they put this time period on the package is because of the risk of botulism in the vacuum sealed package (botulism grows in the absence of oxygen). I think this is a fairly new warning. In theory, botulism toxin can be produced down to fridge temperatures (though slowly and not at all at semi-frozen temperatures). The risk is more significant if your fridge is on the warm side. Not all botulism produces a smell, so absence of a bad fish smell doesn't guarantee it is safe.
The answer here has some detail on cases where this has happened (mostly it seems to be in salted, smoked fish that is stored for quite a while).
Deactivating botulism toxin requires cooking at near boiling temperatures for many minutes — so not something you'll want to do to fish!
All that said, my own personal risk assessment is that this risk is very, very low and I would eat fish thawed in the fridge for two days without a second thought. You can reduce the risk a bit by opening the package now if you aren't going to cook it immediately.
posted by ssg at 11:49 AM on August 29, 2024 [5 favorites]
The answer here has some detail on cases where this has happened (mostly it seems to be in salted, smoked fish that is stored for quite a while).
Deactivating botulism toxin requires cooking at near boiling temperatures for many minutes — so not something you'll want to do to fish!
All that said, my own personal risk assessment is that this risk is very, very low and I would eat fish thawed in the fridge for two days without a second thought. You can reduce the risk a bit by opening the package now if you aren't going to cook it immediately.
posted by ssg at 11:49 AM on August 29, 2024 [5 favorites]
It will not be as tasty as day 1. Use a strong sauce or marinade.
posted by shock muppet at 12:10 PM on August 29, 2024
posted by shock muppet at 12:10 PM on August 29, 2024
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posted by phunniemee at 10:51 AM on August 29, 2024 [3 favorites]