Can Ice Cream Go Bad?

If you have a family and you all love ice cream, you probably find that it disappears almost as soon as you buy it. However, if you live alone or your family does not eat ice cream very often, it may sit in the freezer for quite a while after you bring it home from the store and open it. That raises the question of how long ice cream can be kept in the freezer and whether it can go bad. Many people believe that since ice cream is frozen, it can stay fresh and safe for an indefinite length of time, but that is not true.

Ice Cream Can Get Freezer Burn

Ice cream that sits in a freezer for a long time can get freezer burn. This occurs when moisture travels from the inside of the ice cream to the surface and refreezes. This results in ice crystals on the surface that can ruin the ice cream’s texture and flavor. Once the moisture has escaped from the ice cream and freezer burn has set in, there is no way to restore the ice cream to its creamy goodness. Ice cream with freezer burn is still safe to eat, but it won’t taste very good.

How to Avoid Freezer Burn

There are ways to avoid freezer burn. Don’t let ice cream thaw and then refreeze. Scoop out what you need, put a piece of plastic wrap on the surface, and then replace the lid and put it in the freezer. Store it in the back of the freezer, which is the coldest part.

If your ice cream starts to melt, turn it upside down and put it back into the freezer. The melted ice cream will drip down onto the lid, which can prevent freezer burn in the unmelted part of the ice cream.

The sooner you eat ice cream, the lower the chance of it getting freezer burn. Buy only what you can reasonably expect to eat in a relatively short period of time.

Melted Ice Cream Can Get Bacteria

Another concern with ice cream is bacteria. Bacteria can be an issue if ice cream sits out at room temperature and starts to melt. Refreezing it will not kill the bacteria. If ice cream is sitting out at a temperature above 40 degrees for more than two hours, you should throw it away.

There is no hard-and-fast rule about how long ice cream will last in the freezer before or after it is opened. This will depend on the ingredients, the way it was made, and how it is stored.

Come to Praline’s for Fresh, Delicious Ice Cream

If you would like to try some delicious freshly made ice cream, bring your family to your local Praline’s. We serve sundaes and cones with dozens of tasty flavors and toppings. We serve many classic types of ice cream along with several of our own signature flavors. Stop in today and try some.