§         As far as possible, thaw meat without opening the package to prevent contamination, dehydration and absorption of foreign flavours.

§         Thaw only the amount required.

§         Place the frozen meat in the refrigerator or use the microwave oven to thaw meat safely.

§         In general, the time required for thawing 500g of frozen meat is as follows:

Refrigerator: overnight

Microwave oven: 3 - 5 minutes

(Note: thawing times vary with size, thickness and shape of meat.) 

§         Do not refreeze meat that has been completely thawed as it may cause deterioration in quality. Improper handling and refreezing of meat may lead to growth of bacteria to levels that can cause food poisoning.

§         Instead of freezing unused portions, keep them chilled in the refrigerator for up to two days. Alternatively, extra portions can be cooked first and then stored chilled or frozen until the next meal.

 
§ Remember to separate raw meat from cooked or ready-to-eat food to prevent cross-contamination.