Freezing pureed baby food

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Freezing Homemade Baby Food

There are some important freezing guidelines that you must follow.
This page outlines some common questions asked about freezing homemade baby food and even provides a chart of the foods that will and will not freeze nicely (Homemade Baby Food Cubes Freezing Chart – opens in a new page)

How long will baby food [cubes] keep in the freezer & refrigerator?

• Freezer: 3-6 months (ideally use within 1-3 months)
• Refrigerator (fruits / veggies): 48 hours
• Refrigerator (meat, poultry, fish eggs): 24 hours

For optimal quality and nutrient retention, keep frozen baby food cubes in the freezer for a maximum of 3 months.
Baby food cubes are safe to remain in the freezer from 3 to 6 months. Using baby food cubes within 1 month to 3 months is really more prudent. Due to the amount of water crystals that tend to build up with baby food purees, and due to the fact that nutrients may leach/evaporate upon thawing because of the water crystals, it is more prudent to use your frozen baby foods cubes as soon as possible – 3 months of storage tops. We always recommend using within 1 month if at all possible.
Many authoritative guidelines will say that most fruits and veggies will keep from 8 to 12 months in the freezer. This is mostly true of foods that are frozen in their natural state. This is also assuming that the freezer remains at a constant sub-zero temperature. Storing foods in a deep freezer is best should you wish to keep frozen foods for that time frame.
Remember that when certain books give freezer time guidelines, they rely on the typical guidelines for fruits/veggies that have NOT been cooked and turned into purees.

How long with baby food cubes keep in the refrigerator?

In the refrigerator, it is recommended that fresh pureed homemade baby food be stored no longer than 48 hours (many food safety authorities say that 72 hour is fine.). This limit ensures that bacteria growth in the puree is kept to a minimum and that the food does not take on the “taste of the fridge”. This “rule” applies for veggies, fruits, meats etc.
If you do not plan to freeze your homemade baby food, I suggest that you make the puree on a day to day, or every other day, basis.
For example, one sweet potato may be baked and then you may freeze one half without pureeing it and then puree the other half. This method will help cut down “waste” and also allow for food safety.

Can I safely use frozen vegetables or fruits to make baby food purees and refreeze them?

YES. You can refreeze frozen veggies & fruits. Using frozen fruits and vegetables is the second best option to using fresh foods. The process of flash-freezing (foods being frozen at a very low temperature and frozen very quickly) actually preserves and allows for optimal nutrient retention.
One of the most commonly asked question is “Can I safely use frozen vegetables or fruits to make baby food purees and refreeze them?”. There are no studies or research to show that refreezing is negative and/or may adversely affect health. The caveat is that you must cook the foods prior to refreezing them. Frozen vegetables and fruits are NOT COOKED prior to being frozen.
Picked at the peak of freshness, a vast majority of frozen veggies are flash frozen either right in the fields or in the warehouse close by. “Fresh” veggies may sit around in trucks and warehouses and criss-cross the country before it even makes it to your table.
Frozen veggies are NOT cooked when packaged and so they must be cooked prior to eating. Please be sure to read the label of your frozen veggie bags as a few brands of frozen veggies may be pre-cooked; you would not want to refreeze these.
The fact is, cooking foods deplete more nutrients than does freezing foods. Contrary to myth, freezing foods (fruits and vegetables in particular) does NOT deplete 100% of that food’s vitamins and minerals. The process of freezing, if kept at a constant 0 degree temp does not contribute to a TOTAL loss of nutrients – if it did, then the majority of the population would be malnourished as we rely on and eat a large amount of frozen foods.
If you ever forget what the “rule” is, remember this example : you can take out a roast that was frozen uncooked & raw, thaw it, cook it and then freeze the leftovers for another meal. Once you have thawed the leftovers, you should never re-freeze the leftover-leftovers.

The package says not to refreeze. Question received from one of our visitors:

Q. Just reading the section on using frozen food to make baby food and then refreezing. I was just concerned because on the package (Green Giant Peas) it says to not refreeze thawed product. Do you know why that is??
A. You should never refreeze a thawed product, that is correct. Refreezing thawed products may affect the taste and quality (and possibly very minutely, the nutritional value) of the product. You should ALWAYS cook a thawed product prior to re-freezing it. Cooking a thawed product will allow you to then re-freeze it for one cycle.
 Keeping a bag of frozen veggies or fruits on makes it simple for you to serve up a meal. You don’t have to puree the whole bag, just cook and use a handful at a time.

Freezing Homemade Baby Food – The Ice Cube Tray/Freezer Bag Method:

Using this method, you spoon or pour your baby food purees into regular ice cube trays and then cover with plastic wrap.
Prior to using your ice cube trays, you want to thoroughly cleanse them with warm soapy water and/or run them through the dishwasher on the sanitize setting. Some parents have even submerged their ice cube trays in boiling water for sanitizing (note: please make sure that the manufacturer of the trays indicates it is ok to boil the trays.)

Learn more about baby food purees and storage here

The ice cube tray method of storing homemade baby food offers you many advantages.

• Each cube is approximately 1+ ounces, allowing you to have an idea of the amount of food your baby is consuming.
• There is minimal waste as you use only 1 cube at a time and will not have to toss away much food; such as you toss away when using commercial foods.
• Another advantage is that you probably have ice cube trays on hand and will not need to go out and buy them.
• Once the purees have been frozen in the trays, you simply pop out the cubes and use as needed. Using this method also allows you to make several trays at a time so your time spent in the kitchen making baby food is decreased.

You may transfer the baby food cubes into freezer bags, freeing up your trays for the next batch of food as well as freeing up some freezer space.

If using the freezer bag method for your food cubes, be sure to label the bags with the type of food and also date the bags. This will help you to quickly grab a cube from a bag of veggie and a bag of fruit without having to guess what you have in the bags. It also allows you to keep track of the length of time the food cubes have been in the freezer.
Learn more about Homemade Baby Food Storage Methods

My baby food cubes are frosty and have ice crystals on them – Do my homemade baby food cubes have freezer burn?

Don’t be alarmed if you see ice crystals forming on your baby food cubes. As mentioned earlier, this is NOT freezer burn rather it is the excess liquid used to make the puree that rises and freezes at the top of the cubes. These crystals or frost are not dangerous and will not make your baby food cubes inedible or harmful.

Freezer Burn – What is it and How may I spot it?
Freezer burn looks like grayish brown spots on the frozen item. It appears as a leathery type texture and is easily noticeable. Crystals on frozen foods are not freezer burn but are a result of any excess liquids being frozen and forming ice crystals.
Freezer burn does not make a frozen food harmful; it simply makes the areas affected very dry. The only thing that may suffer in foods that have a lot of freezer burn is the quality. You can cut away the burned portions and still be able to use the unaffected area of the food.
Freezer burn results when excess air in the frozen package descends on the food. Try to eliminate air pockets in the packages you will be freezing to help stop freezer burn.

Can I use glass jars for freezing homemade baby food? Can I use Gerber/Beechnut glass jars?

Glass that is not specifically manufactured for freezing has the unfortunate ability to crack, leave behind tiny, microscopic shards and fragments and also is prone to bursting. Baby food jars are not manufactured for freezing or for extreme heating. BALL, makers of home canning products, manufactures 4 ounce jars specifically for freezing as do other manufactures.
Many people do freeze in baby food jars but I do not advocate this whatsoever. After all, you’re making baby’s food because you want the best nutrition and health for your little one; why take a risk by freezing in jars? There are glass jars on the market that are specifically manufactured for freezing and those jars should pose no hazards at all.
Gerber containers do not have any specific markings or labeling to indicate that they are good for either temperature extremes. I have emailed Gerber and they have said that they do not recommend using their containers for storage at either temperature extremes such as freezing or extreme heat (microwaving). Feel free to contact Gerber as they were very quick with their reply to us. I do not advocate freezing foods in any container that is not specifically labeled for freezing.

There are certain “grades” of plastics that are specifically manufactured to withstand high temperatures and/or freezing. You may look on the bottom of the containers for the plastic symbol and then look the symbol up here at American Plastics Council. Please note that these codes do not necessarily mean that the container you are using is 100% safe for heating or freezing; the codes will give you a baseline to help with your decision.

What is the “rule” for freezing Meat Purees or Meat Combinations?

Meat Purees and Meat “Dinners” that you have mixed may be frozen just as you would fruits or veggies or combinations. It is safe to freeze meats that have been frozen when raw and uncooked, thawed, cooked and then puréed.

You should not freeze meat purees from meats that have been frozen when raw, thawed, cooked and then frozen and then, thawed again.
If you ever forget what the “rule” is, remember that you can take out a raw frozen roast, thaw it, cook it and then freeze the leftovers for another meal.
Once you have thawed the leftovers, you must use them within 48 hours; you should never re-freeze the leftover-leftovers.

Can I Use Previously Frozen Breast Milk or Formula to Make and then Freeze Baby’s Vegetable or Fruit Purees?

You should not use Previously Frozen Breast Milk to thin purées that you will then be freezing into baby food cubes.

Breast Milk should never be re-frozen in any way or form. Using formula to thin and then freeze Purées is acceptable.

Formula
You may freeze purees that have been mixed with formula. Formula should not be frozen in the form of bottles or cans. For example, you should not freeze formula bottles that you have mixed nor should you stock up on pre-mixed formula and freeze that. As the formula companies note, freezing formula causes a separation of the fats from the liquid and texture suffers. There is no health risk to freezing formula, just texture and quality. Think of it as the same as freezing a gallon of milk – it’s not dangerous but it makes the quality of the milk suffer.

The Enfamil website notes:

“Freezing of any Enfamil formula is NOT recommended. Freezing infant formula can lead to physical property changes like fat separation, which may prove difficult for sensitive infants to digest. Freezing will not extend the expiration date of the formula.” “Freezing of our products may cause loss of desirable appearance and functionality (though not nutrition), and is not recommended.” Clinical Frequently Asked Questions, Storing Enfamil

The International Formula Council Notes:

“Should Infant Formula Be Frozen? The use of infant formula after freezing is not recommended. Although freezing does not affect nutritional quality or sterility, physical separation of the product’s components may occur. ” http://www.infantformula.org/faqs.html#14

It might be easier to freeze your purees without adding any extra liquids. If need be, thin your puree food cube(s) when it comes time to feed your baby. Should you decide to do this, you simply thaw the “un-thinned” food cubes and then thin the food cubes to the desired texture that your infant requires.

Want to make your own baby food? Visit our blog on making your own baby food purees and storage

 More Resources About Freezing Food and Food Safety

• USDA Freezing Guidelines
• Freezing Prepared Foods
• Freezing Food from NDSU
• Do’s and Don’t’s of Freezing
• Food & Nutrition – Storage & Freezing from UIUC
• American Frozen Food Institute

 

Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.

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Freezing Homemade Baby Food - Encyclopedia Baby Food

Levchuk Viktoria©

There are some important guidelines for freezing baby food to follow, they are outlined on this page, and there is even a diagram of the foods that can be frozen. We will show you how to freeze freshly made puree and store it. It will be interesting to read.

Good to know!

• The remains of frozen baby food - what to do with them, we will find out in the article. nine0016
• Heading Frozen food - all about baby food cubes.
• New thinking on allergens

Easy to use site map Baby Food Encyclopedia with a list of all articles and recipes.

How long do you keep baby food in the refrigerator or freezer?

Contents:

• Freezer: 4-6 months (ideally used within 1 month or 3 months)
• Refrigerator (fruits/vegetables): 24 hours
• Refrigerator (meat, poultry, fish eggs): 24 hours

For optimal quality and nutrient retention, store frozen baby food cubes in the freezer for no more than 1-3 months .
Frozen baby food is safe to use if kept in the freezer for about 3-6 months without thawing again. However, it is more reasonable to use them in the region of 1 month to 3 months inclusive. Due to the amount of water crystals that accumulate in baby puree, and the fact that nutrients and important substances can be leached/evaporated when thawed due to these same water crystals, it is wiser to use your frozen baby food whenever possible. - no more than 3 months of storage. However, it is best to use within the first month after freezing, we advise. nine0005

Most sources advise storing fruit and vegetables for 8 to 12 months in the freezer. This is mostly true of whole foods that are congealed in their natural state. This is also provided that the refrigerator compartment remains at a constant temperature below zero. Deep-freezing is best if you want to keep frozen food for a long time. However, it should be remembered that the instructions and recommendations for freezing food for long-term storage do not imply that the fruit or vegetable has been boiled and mashed. nine0005

How long can baby puree be kept in the refrigerator?

In the refrigerator, it is not recommended to store fresh pureed homemade baby food for more than 24 hours. This limitation ensures that the growth of pathogens in the puree is kept to a minimum and that the food does not take on the “refrigerator flavor”. This "rule" applies to vegetables, fruits, meats, etc.

If you do not plan to freeze homemade baby food, then baby food for the baby is prepared every day if he is too small until 8-9months, or every other day, older than the specified age.

Why freeze baby food?

Save parent time, reduce food waste and ensure food safety.

For example, one potato was baked in the oven, and then half was mashed and the other half was frozen.

Frozen vegetables or fruits are safe in baby food

Fruits and vegetables can be frozen. Using frozen fruits and vegetables is the second best option after eating fresh. The quick freezing process (food is frozen at a very low temperature and very quickly) actually preserves the nutrients optimally. Cooking destroys more important nutrients than freezing food. Contrary to myth, freezing food (particularly fruits and vegetables) does not destroy 100% of minerals and vitamins. The freezing process, subject to storage conditions at a constant temperature of zero degrees, does not contribute to the complete loss of nutrients and important substances - if this is the case, then most of the population is malnourished, since in winter we eat a huge amount of frozen foods. nine0005

Frozen vegetables not cooked at the time of packaging must be cooked before eating. Please remember to read the labels of frozen bags, as some brands of frozen vegetables may be pre-cooked.

One of the most frequently asked questions is "Can I use frozen fruits or vegetables for baby food and then freeze the puree?". Since there are no studies that show that repeated freezing is negative and / or can negatively affect health. The problem is that it is necessary to cook food from products that have been frozen once. But the reality is that a frozen product, going through all the stages from a fresh look to a frozen product in a refrigerator in a store, can survive several defrosting and freezing, as it was written earlier, it is through water crystals that nutrients leave. Therefore, purchased frozen vegetables and fruits must be carefully selected, and we would not recommend preparing baby food from them for subsequent freezing of baby puree. It is clear that sometimes parents have no choice and have to start complementary foods with purchased frozen food, so we carefully choose the packaging and the manufacturer, without holes, without pieces of ice. nine0005

For example, from frozen vegetables (home-made or a good quality store-bought bag) that were raw when frozen, we cook a roast, we freeze the leftovers of the roast and use it for its intended purpose next time, but it is not worth freezing the roast after the last defrosting.

Why not refreeze

Do not refreeze thawed food, this is a correct statement. Re-freezing a defrosted product can affect the quality and taste (and possibly nutritional value) of the product, and when it is thawed, pathogenic bacteria may begin to multiply. It is always necessary to prepare defrosted food before re-freezing. The preparation of a thawed product then allows it to be re-frozen in a single cycle. Storing a bag of frozen fruits or vegetables makes food preparation a quick and easy solution. You do not need to defrost the whole package, just get the required amount of the product, and leave the rest in the freezer. nine0005

The easiest way to freeze baby puree is to spoon it into an ice mold, cover with plastic wrap so that there is no air access.

Before using the ice molds, they must be thoroughly cleaned with soap and boiled water. Some parents even immerse their ice molds in boiling water for sanitization (Note: Make sure the sanitization is suitable for the molds before use. )

There are many benefits to storing your child's homemade food in an ice mold:

• Each cube is approximately the same size, which allows parents to determine the amount of food the child consumes.
• Minimal waste by using only 1 cube at a time and not having to waste a lot of food.
• Another advantage is that the ice molds are close at hand and you don't have to go out and buy them.
• The time spent in the kitchen is significantly reduced.

You can transfer baby puree cubes to freezer bags, freeing up molds for the next batch of food and also freeing up some freezer space. nine0005

Do not forget about the labeling of packages with cubes of baby puree, write the date of freezing and the type of puree. This will help you quickly remove the cube from the package, as well as monitor their expiration date.

Ice crystals on baby food cubes

Don't worry if ice crystals are visible on baby food cubes. It's not frostbite, but excess liquid used in mashing that rises and solidifies at the top of the cubes. These crystals or frost are not dangerous and will not make baby puree cubes inedible or harmful. nine0005

Frostbite - what is it and how to determine it?

Frostbite looks like greyish brown spots on frozen food. It looks like a leathery type of texture and is easily noticeable. Crystals on frozen foods are not frostbite, but are the result of excess liquid during the freezing process and the formation of ice crystals.

Frostbite does not make frozen foods bad or harmful; it just makes the affected areas very dry. The only thing that can suffer in food that is frostbitten is the quality. You can cut off frostbitten areas and use the undamaged area of ​​​​food. Frostbite is the result of excess air in a frozen bag that sinks onto food. Eliminate air pockets in bags to help stop frostbite. nine0005

Can glass baby food freezer jars or baby food jars like Frutonyanya or Gerber be used? and also such banks are prone to rupture. Baby food jars are not manufactured for freezing or extreme heating. There are glass jars for freezing food in them, but they can be hard to find. Many people freeze in baby food jars, but I'm not a fan of this at all. After all, food is made for the baby because we want to give him the best healthy food; Do you really want to take the risk and freeze baby food in glass jars? nine0005

There are certain plastic jars that are specially made to withstand high temperatures and/or freezing. Therefore, it is best to use plastic containers or ordinary thick plastic bags, convenient and simple. There are also special freezer bags with a zip clip - an interesting option.

Can previously frozen breast milk or formula be used to make vegetable or fruit purees?

Do not use previously frozen breast milk to prepare puree to freeze later this baby food.

Breast milk must never be refrozen in any shape or form.

Milk formula

You can freeze puree to which thawed milk formula has been added. However, formula should not be frozen in bottles or cans. It is impossible to add the mixture to the previously frozen mixture and freeze it. If frozen milk formula is used for mashing, then it is necessary to freeze it at a time without defrosting. Freezing milk formula causes separation of fats and liquids, and the texture suffers accordingly. Although there is no health risk, the same happens with breast milk and cow's milk, the texture and quality suffer a little. However, it is best to prepare the milk formula before putting it in the baby puree and only then freeze the puree. This will be more useful and efficient. nine0005

Some formula manufacturers say that freezing any formula is not recommended, as the process can alter physical properties such as fat separation, which can be difficult for sensitive babies to digest. Freezing does not affect the quality or food sterility, however it will not prolong the shelf life of formula. Freezing may result in the loss of the desired appearance and functionality and is therefore not recommended. nine0003

It may be easier to freeze puree without adding any additional liquids. Since, when defrosted, they are most often liquid, so you have to add oatmeal or rice flakes.

How to cook and freeze baby food safely

Anna Makrentsova > Food

October 12, 2018

Read: 4 min

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Homemade baby food is an economical, organic alternative to store-bought food. However, it is very important to learn how to store baby food and follow some tips. We found useful information on this topic at Food and Wine. We share it with you.

Material content

If you have never made baby food at home, start small. Use a variety of products. Including fruits and vegetables - fresh, frozen or canned in their own juices - along with meat and fish. Make several flavors at once, be sure to cook the ones that your baby likes the most. And some new flavors to see how your child reacts, as well as introduce new flavors. nine0005

Be careful about cleanliness when preparing baby food. Children's sensitive immune systems make them more susceptible to food poisoning. Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed and cleaned. Especially those grown near the ground, like strawberries, carrots and potatoes. Never use outdated canned food or food from dented, rusty, or leaking cans. Keep work surfaces, utensils and hands spotlessly clean. Be sure to use separate cutting boards for meat, poultry, and fish. nine0005

Remove all seeds and fibers from fruits and vegetables. Well clean fish, meat from bones, peel, pile, etc. Fruits and vegetables can be steamed with hot water. When cooking meat and fish, use a thermometer. The average temperature should not be below 73 degrees.

All baby food can be frozen. An easy way is to place cooked food in clean ice cube trays.

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