Question

Explain why if you want to store uncooked hamburger meat for a month you put it in a freezer rather than a refrigerator

Answer 1

Uncooked hamburger meat should be stored in a freezer rather than a refrigerator if you want to store it for a month because freezing stops microbial growth and kills susceptible organisms. Refrigeration only inhibits bacterial growth. Thawed foods should be treated like fresh perishables because bacterial growth can restart in thawed foods.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason uncooked hamburger meat should be stored in a freezer rather than a refrigerator if you want to store it for a month is because freezing below -2 °C can stop microbial growth and even kill susceptible organisms. Freezing the meat at this temperature creates an environment that is not conducive for bacterial growth. In contrast, refrigeration only inhibits bacterial growth but does not stop it completely. Additionally, thawed foods should be treated like fresh perishables because halted bacterial growth can restart in thawed foods.

Answer 2

Freezer has a temperature below freezing point (0 degree F) while refrigerator has a temperature of 40 degree F. At freezing point, the enzymatic activities stop thus meat and meat products that have very less shelf life are stored in the freezer. Frozen food can be stored for months inside the freezer. In case of a refrigerator the enzymatic activities still take place and it is not used for storage purposes.

Thus, uncooked hamburger meat can be stored in a freezer for months rather than in a refrigerator.