Why do you have to immediately freeze meat, but grocery stores just refrigerate it when they sell it?

Question

Why do you have to immediately freeze meat, but grocery stores just refrigerate it when they sell it?

Answer 1

They don't freeze it because at times people want to purchase the meat and immediately cook it. Or use it within a few days. If you're going to keep your meat for longer than a few days you need to freeze it to keep it from going bad.

Answer 2

Grocery stores are expecting to sell the meat the same or next day.

When you bring it home you only freeze it if you are not going to use it right away.

Answer 3

freeze meat after you bring it home?

Your parents must buy a lot that they can't eat in a timely manner.  

The only time I freeze is when I buy a lot on sale.

Answer 4

modification to the Stat EXP system

Answer 5

you only have to immediately freeze it if you're gonna have it for a long time.  

Answer 6

Because meat is a highly perishable food item.

Grocery stores sell a large quantity of fresh meat, they don't need to freeze it. Occasionally they'll have *previously frozen* meats for sale.

Maximum storage recommendations for fresh, cooked and processed meats.

Meat      /         Refrigerator                   /                     * Freezer*

Beef (fresh)     2 to 4 days                                     6 to 12 months

Veal (fresh)     2 to 4 days                                     6 to 9 months

Pork (fresh)     2 to 4 days                                     3 to 6 months

Lamb (fresh)    2 to 4 days                                    6 to 9 months

Ground beef, veal, and lamb 1 to 2 days                 3 to 4 months

Ground pork     1 to 2 days                                    1 to 3 months

Variety meats 1 to 2 days                                     3 to 4 months

Luncheon meats 1 week                                   Not recommended

Sausage, fresh pork 1 week                                     60 days

Frankfurters 4 to 5 days                                           1 month

Bacon 5 to 7 days                                                   1 month

Smoked ham, whole 1 week                                     60 days

Ham slices 3 to 4 days                                            60 days

Beef, corned 1 week                                                 2 weeks

Leftover cooked meat 1 week                               2 to 3 months

Sausage, smoked 3 to 7 days



Sausage, dry & semi-dry (unsliced)   *fridge  2 to 3 weeks



Meat pies (cooked)            *freezer                         3 months

                                                                          

Swiss steak (cooked)        *freezer                          3 months  



Stews (cooked)      *freezer                                      3 to 4 months  



Prepared meat dinners   *freezer                             2 to 6 months  



* 36 to 40°F

** 0°F or lower

Answer 7

You don't have to freeze meat immediately.  It's just a habit your family or friends have developed.  I buy my meat and keep it in the fridge for 2-4 days, and then cook it.  It works fine.  Fresh raw meat has a limited shelf life.  If it's only going to be good for 5 or 6 days, if that, then why not freeze it right away?  It's not necessary, but does make sense.  Then it keeps longer after it's thawed.

Answer 8

To prevent food poisoning and to increase the shelf life of the food.

Answer 9

Always check the "out of date". If you're going to use it soon, fresh meat is much better. If it is something on sale and you buy quantity, then freeze and date it. Rotate your freezer items along with refrigerated items.