yes, that's right.  i baked some brownies 25-30 years ago that for personal reasons
had - and still have - sentimental "occasion" value to me and others.
they've stayed frozen all these years in refrig. freezer.

question: if i were to eat them TODAY (i ate them back then ... original 
mix was Betty Crocker) ... would they have a very high likelihood -- taste set
totally aside! -- of being SAFE?

if there's a risk of their NOT being safe, what's the risk?

thx!
mike

---

Clarification of Question by mikeginnyc-ga on 15 May 2005 11:22 PDT

well, i suspected i'd get that answer ... meaning, for me,
it's time to say goodbye to the past and throw those
historic brownies away (picking up room in my freezer)
and == NOT == try to eat them as part of some honoring-the-past
ceremony.

please adjust the question so i can offer a five-star rating
and add a tip.

thx!!

m.

Dear Mike, 

Thank you for accepting my comments as the formal answer to your question.

I'm sorry that I couldn't give you a more positive response about your brownies.

Sincerely,
Bobbie7

----------------------------------------------------------------

According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the public
health agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture food stored
CONSTANTLY at 0 °F will always be safe and only the quality suffers
with lengthy freezer storage.

However, the brownies would probably not be safe to eat if they were
kept in the freezer compartment of the fridge (under certain
conditions) or if there was a lengthy blackout during the time they
were frozen. Also, I assume that the freezer must have been defrosted
more than once over the years. That would mean that they would NOT
have been stored constantly at 0 °F and therefore they are not safe to
eat.

Excerpts: 

?Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality
suffers with lengthy freezer storage. Freezing keeps food safe by
slowing the movement of molecules, causing microbes to enter a dormant
stage. Freezing preserves food for extended periods because it
prevents the growth of microorganisms that cause both food spoilage
and foodborne illness.?

Were the brownies kept in the freezing compartment of the refrigerator? 

?If a refrigerator freezing compartment can't maintain zero degrees or
if the door is opened frequently, use it for short-term food storage.?

A standing freezer is best for long term storage.

?Use a free-standing freezer set at 0° F or below for long-term
storage of frozen foods..?

Length of Time
?Because freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, recommended
storage times are for quality only.?

?If a food is not listed on the chart, you may determine its quality
after defrosting. First check the odor. Some foods will develop a
rancid or off odor when frozen too long and should be discarded. Some
may not look picture perfect or be of high enough quality to serve
alone but may be edible; use them to make soups or stews. Cook raw
food and if you like the taste and texture, use it.?
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/focus_on_freezing/index.asp

Were there any blackouts during the time the brownies were frozen?

?Power outage food safety: If the power is out for less than 2 hours,
then the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to
consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer
doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer. If the
power is out for longer than 2 hours, follow the guidelines below:

For the Freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food
safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48
hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it.?
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24011

this researcher is consistently fast/friendly/EXCELLENT in the results
provided.  period!

Hi Mike!


According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the public
health agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture food stored
CONSTANTLY at 0 °F will always be safe and only the quality suffers
with lengthy freezer storage.

However, the brownies would probably not be safe to eat if they were
kept in the freezer compartment of the fridge (under certain
conditions) or if there was a lengthy blackout during the time they
were frozen. Also, I assume that the freezer must have been defrosted
more than once over the years. That would mean that they would NOT
have been stored constantly at 0 °F and therefore they are not safe to
eat.

Excerpts: 

?Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality
suffers with lengthy freezer storage. Freezing keeps food safe by
slowing the movement of molecules, causing microbes to enter a dormant
stage. Freezing preserves food for extended periods because it
prevents the growth of microorganisms that cause both food spoilage
and foodborne illness.?

Were the brownies kept in the freezing compartment of the refrigerator? 

?If a refrigerator freezing compartment can't maintain zero degrees or
if the door is opened frequently, use it for short-term food storage.?

A standing freezer is best for long term storage.

?Use a free-standing freezer set at 0° F or below for long-term
storage of frozen foods..?

Length of Time
?Because freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, recommended
storage times are for quality only.?

?If a food is not listed on the chart, you may determine its quality
after defrosting. First check the odor. Some foods will develop a
rancid or off odor when frozen too long and should be discarded. Some
may not look picture perfect or be of high enough quality to serve
alone but may be edible; use them to make soups or stews. Cook raw
food and if you like the taste and texture, use it.?
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/focus_on_freezing/index.asp

Were there any blackouts during the time the brownies were frozen?

?Power outage food safety: If the power is out for less than 2 hours,
then the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to
consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer
doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer. If the
power is out for longer than 2 hours, follow the guidelines below:

For the Freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food
safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48
hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it.?
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24011


Please let me know if this answers your question.

Best regards,
Bobbie7

Mike,

Thanks for the kind words, rating and tip!
You are one of my favorite customers.

Best wishes,
Bobbie7

Hi Mike...

Were your brownies perchance "hash brownies" ;) ?