What to Do After Defrosting Food in the UK
The FSA advises defrosting suitable food in the fridge and using it within 24 hours after it is fully defrosted, subject to its package instructions.
United Kingdom · Official food safety sources
The FSA advises defrosting suitable food in the fridge and using it within 24 hours after it is fully defrosted, subject to its package instructions.
Begin from full defrost, not freezer removal
A large food item may take a long time to thaw safely in the fridge. The reference 24-hour period begins once it has fully defrosted.
Do not thaw at room temperature
Defrost in the fridge or use the microwave defrost setting directly before cooking, as appropriate. Catch drips and avoid contaminating ready-to-eat food.
Product directions may be stricter
Some products have their own thawing and cooking instructions. Follow those and do not treat this date as a safety test.
UK date and time calculator
Fully defrosted food — 24-hour guidance
Enter the time the item finished defrosting in the fridge, not the moment it left the freezer.
This is a maximum guidance period, not a use-by date or food safety certificate. If storage history is uncertain, do not rely on the calculated time.
Official UK sources: FSA — Chilling, freezing and defrosting ↗ · FSA — Cooking your food ↗