How Does Freezing Prevent Bacterial Growth

Freezing delays spoilage and keeps foods safe by preventing microorganisms from growing and by slowing down the enzyme activity that causes food to spoil. As the water in the food freezes into ice crystals, it becomes unavailable to those microorganisms that need it for growth.

How does freezing prevent bacteria?

Freezing does not kill germs and bacteria. Instead, it essentially puts them into hibernation. They are inactive while the food is frozen and will “wake up” as soon as the food thaws. And as the food thaws, so will the moisture, which means the bacteria will have the moisture it needs to survive.

What happens to bacterial growth in the freezer?

Although freezing temperatures will prevent Listeria bacteria from growing, they don’t kill the bacteria, Chapman said. The microbes survive in the freezer, he said. … For most other bacteria, these temperatures halt the bacteria’s growth, sending them into a state of suspended animation.