Have you checked your office freezer lately? There’s a common misconception that frozen foods like ice cream never expire, making them ideal snacks to stock in your break room freezer. However, that’s not really the case.
We’re here to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the expiration date of our favorite frozen treat. And we are also here to let you know about an alternative to traditionally-frozen ice cream – a delicious, shelf-stable option that can easily be kept on hand in the office and frozen on demand.
When Does Ice Cream Expire?
While it’s true that frozen foods often have a longer shelf life than their refrigerated or fresh food counterparts, they don’t last forever. Most ice cream experts agree that unopened commercial ice cream stored in the coldest part of your office freezer can last about two to four months (homemade ice cream made without preservatives lasts about one month).
- Freezer burn happens when moisture seeps into your ice cream, evaporates, and forms ice crystals. These crystals are often visible on the top and inner lid of an ice cream carton. While it’s not dangerous to your health, freezer burn gives ice cream an unpleasant crunchy, sandy texture.
- Thawing ice cream, whether intentionally to soften it before scooping or unintentionally by frequently opening and closing the freezer, can completely ruin the texture of your frozen treat. Can ice cream be refrozen once thawed? Yes, but it will negatively impact its creamy texture. Unfortunately, unintentional thawing is common in office settings where people open the freezer throughout the day to retrieve items such as ice and frozen meals.
- Warming up your ice cream scooper with hot water may make it easier to get the perfect scoop, but this method melts your ice cream and can leave behind water that turns into ice crystals (freezer burn!).
- The door is the warmest part of your freezer. Storing ice cream here might be convenient, but it will expose it to warmer temperatures and thawing.
Warming up your ice cream scoop can contribute to freezer burn
How to Tell If Ice Cream Has Gone Bad
Technically, ice cream has a “best by” date and not an expiration date. This means that, when properly stored, it is probably fine to eat beyond the date printed on the carton, provided there is no evidence of spoilage. The quality, however, may suffer.
Can ice cream expire before its best by date? Sometimes, especially if it was melted and refrozen, or exposed to freezer burn. Below are some ways you can tell if ice cream has gone bad before taking a bite:
Freezer burned ice cream
- If you see ice crystals on the top of your ice cream or on the inner lid, it has likely become a victim of freezer burn and its texture won’t be the same.
- You might also notice a change in the ice cream’s texture at a glance. If it looks gooey with small ice shards (rather than being consistently fluffy) – it has likely gone bad.
- A sniff test can let you know if your ice cream has somehow spoiled. Sometimes ice cream can spoil because it was left out too long and melted before being frozen again, or if it was stored next to something with a strong odor in the freezer.
Remember, the proper way to store ice cream includes keeping it as airtight as possible in the coldest part of your freezer!
ColdSnap®: A Better Way to Store and Enjoy Ice Cream
Let’s be real: no one wants a container of ice cream taking up space in a shared freezer (let alone a container that’s been opened and has freezer burn that’s yet to be discovered). What if there was a more convenient way to store and enjoy this frozen treat? Well, there is!
ColdSnap instant ice cream maker
ColdSnap makes single-serve ice cream on demand that’s always fresh and delicious. And the best part?: ColdSnap pods do not need to be refrigerated or stored in the freezer! They are shelf-stable, stored at ambient temperature, and stay good for six to nine months.
This way you can always have fresh ice cream on hand for you and your colleagues to enjoy at work. Now you can easily satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth at the office while also saving precious space in your break room freezer.
So say goodbye to freezer burn and hello to perfectly creamy ice cream every time with ColdSnap. Contact us today to learn more about ColdSnap, a soon-to-be-released rapid-freezing appliance that produces single servings of frozen confections and frozen beverages in your office in two minutes or less.
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FAQs
How to Tell If Ice Cream Has Gone Bad. Technically, ice cream has a “best by” date and not an expiration date. This means that, when properly stored, it is probably fine to eat beyond the date printed on the carton, provided there is no evidence of spoilage. The quality, however, may suffer.
How long can you keep frozen ice cream in the freezer? ›
If stored well, ice cream in an airtight container lasts the longest when frozen, usually one to two months. This is because the freezing temperature slows the growth of bacteria and keeps it from becoming rancid too quickly. Freezer burn is a whole other thing.
How can you tell if ice cream has gone bad? ›
While some ice crystals are perfectly fine on ice cream, a thick layer of crystals or ice could indicate that the ice cream won't taste as fresh and the texture may be off. While it's probably ok to eat, it may not taste good. If your power goes out for a lengthy time, it's best to toss the carton.
How long can ice cream last in the freezer without power? ›
The good news is that if you use an appropriate container for your ice cream and you store it correctly, it could last for up to eight hours, maybe more if you use dry ice or blocks of ice to help retain the temperature of the freezer at between -12°C (10°F) and -20°C (-4°F).
How do you tell if ice cream has been refrozen? ›
It loses air
Melted ice cream loses the air, and that means when it is returned to the freezer it reforms but as a dense, hard block instead. So, if your ice cream hasn't got the beautiful, whipped consistency it once had the chances are it has been melted and refrozen.
How long does frozen cream last in the freezer? ›
Can you freeze cream? You can freeze small amounts of cream by pouring it into ice cube trays, then transferring cubes to a freezer bag and expelling the air. If you have a large amount, pour into an airtight container and leave a 2cm gap at the top for the cream to expand. You can freeze cream for up to three months.
How long until ice goes bad in freezer? ›
You should be giving your freezer and all its compartments a deep cleaning on a yearly basis; however, ice itself needs to be discarded more frequently at around every few months (via Cooking Light).
Can I eat 2 year expired ice cream? ›
Technically, ice cream has a “best by” date and not an expiration date. This means that, when properly stored, it is probably fine to eat beyond the date printed on the carton, provided there is no evidence of spoilage. The quality, however, may suffer.
What does expired ice cream look like? ›
To figure out if your ice cream is officially past its prime, take a closer look. Usually, ice shards on top of the lid and under the ice cream are the surest sign of trouble. Sure, you can scrape them off and keep going, but it's a sign that you're about to encounter a weird mix of icy soup.
Is ice cream with freezer burn safe to eat? ›
Aside from meat, another common victim to freezer burn is ice cream, which can turn a bit icy and scratchy when freezer burned. Like meat, it's still completely safe to eat. However, the textural changes may be more evident since you're eating a frozen treat.
Store an ice cube or two in a sealed plastic bag or small container in the freezer; a sealed bag/container is important so the ice cube doesn't evaporate and disappear. If the ice cube has melted down from its original shape, you'll know the power was off for an extended period of time.
What if my freezer was off for 3 days? ›
A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below, however, its quality may suffer. Never taste food to determine its safety.
Can ice cream go bad in the freezer? ›
To eat, or not to eat? Once opened, ice cream stays fresh for about six weeks when stored at zero degrees Fahrenheit. Unopened ice cream will stay fresh for two to three months in a zero-degree Fahrenheit freezer.
What to do if you ate bad ice cream? ›
Though most people recover without any treatment, those at high risk, have worsening symptoms, or have a compromised immune system, should seek medical attention.
How do you know if ice cream is still good? ›
All store-bought ice cream will have an expiration date stamped on the container. Most food-safety experts agree it's OK to push that date back by a couple of months, but it's up to you to make your own choice about that. Typically, homemade ice cream doesn't last as long as store-bought.
How to fix ice cream freezer burn? ›
Remove Existing Freezer Burn
Allow the ice cream to melt a little, then remove the crystals with an ice cream scoop or a serrated knife before serving. (Freezer burn ice cream is safe to eat since ice crystals do not spoil the ice cream.)
Is out of date ice cream ok to eat? ›
Ice cream may seem like a treat that will last forever in the freezer, but it has a relatively short shelf life. Ice cream that has passed its expiration date can develop freezer burn, which can change its texture and flavour. In addition, the growth of bacteria can cause illness if consumed.
Why is my ice cream melting in the freezer? ›
If food that can easily melt, such as ice cream, is stored on the door basket [stand] where cold air is weaker than cold air inside the shelf, the food may melt. If the door was left slightly open, cold air escaped, lowering the inside temperature and causing thawing and melting.
How long can ice cream sit out and be refrozen? ›
If food is completely thawed, warmed to room temperature or left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours, throw the food out for safety's sake. These principles apply to meat, poultry, shellfish, some vegetables and cooked foods. Do not refreeze ice cream and similar frozen desserts.
