If you have just started a restaurant, you may be unsure of how to properly freeze your establishment's meat so it stays safe and does not succumb to freezer burn. If so, use the following three tips for preparing your meat for storage in your restaurant's freezer

Separate And Package Meat As Soon As Possible

As soon as your meat order is delivered, have your kitchen staff separate and package it as soon as possible. The longer the meat stays out, the more likely that bacteria will start to grow in it.

If packaging cannot be done immediately, set the meat in the refrigerator. However, make sure it is prepared and frozen within a few hours. Bacteria can still continue to grow at a faster rate in the refrigerator than in the freezer. The longer fresh, uncooked meat remains unfrozen, the greater the risk of it being contaminated when you serve it to your customers.

Wrap Meat In Plastic Specifically Designed For Freezing

When selecting the plastic that you will use to wrap the meat, select one that is specifically designed for freezing. Freezer wrap is thicker than regular plastic wrap, and it usually has several layers that trap the cold air around it. This can ensure the meat stays frozen even when your cooking staff is constantly in and out of the freezer, letting warm air inside.

The thicker wrap also helps prevent freezer burn by protecting the meat from the cold, dry air. Using the right wrap can save you money from not having to throw away meat that has been affected by freezer burn that adversely affects the taste and dries it out.

Use Packaging Containers That Fit The Portions

If you decide to place the wrapped meat in packaging containers for added protection and ease of storage, make sure you use ones that fit the portions as closely as possible. If you use a container that is too large for the meat, extra air will surround it. Even if it is wrapped, the condensed air could put the meat at risk for freezer burn.

Using the above tips can help you keep your restaurant's meat safe, fresh, and ready to cook once you take it out of the freezer. However, if you are unsure of what packaging to use in the freezer, you may want to contact your industrial food packaging supplier to discuss the various options available for your specific needs.