Food safety guidelines: refreezing partially defrosted mealsUpdated a month ago

Our thermal packaging and dry ice undergo regular testing for compliance, integrity, and safety so your meals arrive in the best possible condition.
If your meals arrive partially defrosted but remain touch cold (below 8°C) they are safe to refreeze. Even if a parcel arrives a day late, it will typically still be cold to the touch.
However, a fully defrosted meal that has reached room temperature for a period of time should never be refrozen and must be discarded 

Food Safety Guidelines: Refreezing Partially Defrosted Meals

Temperature Control Standards  

Our commitment to food safety follows strict UK Food Standards Agency guidelines regarding temperature control and refreezing conditions. Here's what you need to know about safely handling your delivered meals:  

Safe Temperature Zones  

• The FSA stipulates that chilled food must be kept at 8°C or below to maintain safety  

• Our thermal packaging and dry ice systems are regularly tested and validated to maintain safe temperatures.  

When Is It Safe to Refreeze?  

Your meals are safe to refreeze if:  

• They arrive partially defrosted but still feel cold to touch (below 8°C)  

• The packaging is intact and shows no signs of damage  

Important Safety Checks  

1. Upon delivery, immediately check if the meals are:   

2. Still frozen solid (ideal condition)  

3. Partially defrosted but still cold to touch (safe to refreeze)  

4. Fully defrosted but still cold (check temperature – see guidance below on how to check temperatures without a thermometer)  

Temperature Assessment:   

1. Below 8°C: Safe to refreeze  

2. Above 8°C: Not safe to refreeze  

3. Room temperature: Must not be refrozen  

When Not to Refreeze  

Do not refreeze meals if:  

• They have reached room temperature  

• They feel warm to touch  

• The packaging is damaged  

• They have been fully defrosted for more than 24 hours  

Our Quality Assurance  

We maintain food safety through:  

• Regular testing of thermal packaging performance  

• Compliance with FSA temperature control regulations  

• Rigorous safety protocols throughout our supply chain and production process  

Customer Safety Advisory  

While our delivery system is designed to maintain safe temperatures, we recommend:  

• Checking deliveries immediately upon arrival  

• Using a food thermometer when in doubt about temperature – see guidance below on how to check temperatures without a thermometer)  

• Following storage instructions on packaging  

• Contacting customer service if you have any concerns about delivery condition  

Remember: Food safety is our top priority. When in doubt about the temperature or condition of your delivery, please contact our customer service team for guidance.  

How to Check Temperature Without a Thermometer  

You can assess the safety of your delivery using these simple checks:  

1. Touch Test:  

2.  Safe to refreeze: The package feels cold enough to be uncomfortable to hold for more than a few seconds 

3.  Safe but requires prompt attention: Cool to touch, like a refrigerated item  

4. Unsafe: Feels room temperature or warm  

Visual Indicators:   

1. Partially frozen or with frost or ice crystals present: Indicates proper temperature maintenance
   

Physical State Check:   

1. Fully frozen: Hard and solid throughout  

2. Partially defrosted but safe: Still contains ice crystals and feels very cold  

3. Needs assessment: Soft but still cold  

4. Unsafe: Completely soft and not cold  

To see our article on defrosting meals click here