I got my frozen food out of the freezer last night and got a cube out to feed the tank and some how managed to forget to put the food back in the freezer. It sat outside for around 20 hours and it was completely thawed. Is the food ruined or do you think I can freeze it and re use it? All of the cubes are still sealed that the food was in. Not sure if that matter or not, but I assume I should probably throw the food out. What do you think?
Thawed frozen food
- Thread starter ranchhand02
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Susan Edwards
5000 Club Member
what temp was it sitting in--70 degree house? 60 degree? If it was in a cooler setting, you can try to figure out how long it took to thaw (a bunch of frozen together will stay frozen longer) Was it still cold at all? Fridge cold or room temp? I left out my huge basket on the counter for several hours. Some was partially thawed but most still frozen or mostly frozen and all still cold so I shoved back in freezer.
FWIW I used to buy cubes of Beefheart at my LFS from time to time. My car didn't have an AC and in 100+ degree weather the food would turn into hot mush by the time I got it home. After a few hours in the freezer though it was as good as new. 
Cheato Pet
New Member
Use of frozen fish food that has thawed
You may safely refreeze some foods that still contain ice crystals and are cold to the touch or if they have been kept below 45 degrees F for no more than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 45 degrees F, THROW IT OUT!
Treat completely thawed foods as follows
These foods are perishable. Do not refreeze thawed fish food. Spoilage may begin before bad odors develop and may be toxic. Refreeze fish food only if ice crystals remain throughout the package. If you question the condition, THROW IT OUT!
Don't use if odor is offensive or if the freezer temperature has exceeded 45 degrees F for 2 hours or longer, THROW IT OUT!
Use common sense: If any foods have an offensive or questionable odor, DO NOT feed them to your fish.
You may safely refreeze some foods that still contain ice crystals and are cold to the touch or if they have been kept below 45 degrees F for no more than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 45 degrees F, THROW IT OUT!
Treat completely thawed foods as follows
These foods are perishable. Do not refreeze thawed fish food. Spoilage may begin before bad odors develop and may be toxic. Refreeze fish food only if ice crystals remain throughout the package. If you question the condition, THROW IT OUT!
Don't use if odor is offensive or if the freezer temperature has exceeded 45 degrees F for 2 hours or longer, THROW IT OUT!
Use common sense: If any foods have an offensive or questionable odor, DO NOT feed them to your fish.
Cheato Pet
New Member
Use of frozen fish food that has thawed
You may safely refreeze some foods that still contain ice crystals and are cold to the touch or if they have been kept below 45 degrees F for no more than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 45 degrees F, THROW IT OUT!
Treat completely thawed foods as follows
These foods are perishable. Do not refreeze thawed fish food. Spoilage may begin before bad odors develop and may be toxic. Refreeze fish food only if ice crystals remain throughout the package. If you question the condition, THROW IT OUT!
Don't use if odor is offensive or if the freezer temperature has exceeded 45 degrees F for 2 hours or longer, THROW IT OUT!
Use common sense: If any foods have an offensive or questionable odor, DO NOT feed them to your fish.
