Can I refreeze a baked meatloaf I left to thaw and now don't want yet?

[momee]

TIA

[AlmiraGulch]

I've heard you're not supposed to but I don't know why. I do it all the time with no ill effects. I hope I'm not slowly killing my family with some crazy do-not-refreeze-meat disease!

 

ETA: I just found this site, which says it's ok as long as it has been handled properly.

 

http://lancaster.unl.edu/food/ciq-refreeze.shtml

[fivetails]

I was always taught that you NEVER 're-freeze' meat.

[Rosie_0801]

I was told never to refreeze meat unless it had been cooked since. Ah, the worries I no longer have by being vegan :D

 

Rosie

[yellowperch]

Much of the meat we buy in stores is shipped frozen then thawed for the shelves. Often it is then refrozen by the consumer.

 

For me it would depend on how fresh the meat was when I prepared the meatloaf, how soon I froze it and how I defrosted it. If the meat was fresh,frozen right away and defrosted in the fridge I'd use it.

[WishboneDawn]

The issue with refreezing is that every time the meat is thawed it gives bacteria an opportunity to grow. That's all. If it hasn't been unthawed for too long and is something you can reheat to a temperature that will kill bacteria I think you're okay.

[Heather in Neverland]

I remember from my home ec class that it depends on how thawed it is. If it still has ice crystals in it and is not completely thawed then you can refreeze it. I am not sure if that follows sanitation rules or not but it is what I have always done and so far we are still alive! :D