Abstract
ABSTRACTTo determine the effect of refreezing on broiler carcasses, three separate lots of commercially processed chickens were packaged in polyethylene bags and frozen at ‐18° or ‐30°C. At 2–4 day intervals they were thawed at room temperature for 7–8 hr (to 4°C internal). Random carcasses were removed for testing and the remainder refrozen, up to five times. Tests included taste paneling and visual observations for sliminess and bone discoloration, total moisture, TBA values, shear values and total viable counts. Total drip and total losses were also calculated. Results showed that taste panel scores for tenderness, juiciness, flavor and overall acceptability of roasted breast meat were not affected by five refreezings. Visual observations showed no appreciable increase in sliminess or bone discoloration due to repeated refreezings. Total drip increased but total loss (which included cooking losses) changed little after the first refreezing. Total moisture in the cooked product and shear values for dark meat showed no change, while shear values for light meat decreased. TBA values did not increase over those for the control until after four refreezings. It appears, from the results of this study, that poultry can be safely refrozen several times, providing the meat is handled properly.
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