Final answer:
When defrosting a freezer, it is recommended to place the frozen food in the refrigerator or thaw it in the microwave. Thawed foods should be treated like fresh perishables.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the USDA, when defrosting a freezer, the frozen food should be placed in the refrigerator. This is a safe way to thaw the food as it keeps the temperature low enough to inhibit bacterial growth. Another option is to thaw the food in cold water changed every 30 minutes.
Thawing the food in a microwave is also acceptable as long as the temperature remains unfavorable for bacterial growth. It's important to remember that thawed foods should be treated like fresh perishables as bacterial growth can restart in thawed foods.