Would putting a dead animal in the freezer contaminate other food?
If you put a dead animal in the freezer, wrapped in a plastic bag, lay the dead animal on top of the other food in the freezer, can the smell of the dead animal contaminate the other food in the freezer just from the odor?
Best Answer
Anything you store in the freezer needs to be airtight, or odors will propagate. And they'll linger in the freezer itself, not just the other food, so you really want to avoid this.
If you're using plastic bags to store things in your freezer (and they're not zip-seal bags), make sure they're thick and tied off airtight. No harm using multiple bags to make extra sure!
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Quick Answer about "Would putting a dead animal in the freezer contaminate other food?"
If you put a dead animal in the freezer, wrapped in a plastic bag, lay the dead animal on top of the other food in the freezer, can the smell of the dead animal contaminate the other food in the freezer just from the odor? Smells will travel from item to item in the freezer, yes.Can you put a dead animal in the freezer?
If longer temporary storage is required, dead animals may be frozen and securely stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below for a maximum of 30 days. At the end of the maximum storage period, carcasses must be disposed of in one of the approved methods listed in this brochure.What happens if you freeze rotten meat?
If you don't plan on eating your meat within the FDA-recommended time periods, you can keep your meat from going bad by freezing it at 0 degrees F. The USDA says that freezing food at this temperature inactivates bacteria and other microbes. Freezing food can even help destroy certain parasites.Can you put a dead cat in the fridge?
Placing the wrapped animal in a refrigerator or freezer is recommended, with one exception\u2014if you plan to have a necropsy (autopsy) performed to determine cause of death, the body should not be frozen (refrigeration is still okay).How long can you keep a dead hamster in the freezer?
How Long Can You Keep a Dead Hamster? You can keep a dead hamster in the freezer for as long as necessary. As mentioned, freezing stops the decaying process, giving you some time to consider your disposal options. You shouldn't keep your hamster outside the freezer for more than 24 hours.warning: disturbing: Dead Dogs, one fully thawed, in freezer full of food
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Answer 2
I read this question differently, and it may not be the original poster's intent, but I wonder if @mandi porter was asking if bacterial contamination can be transported by odor. Of course, the smell is an indication of bacterial spoilage, but it is not where the bacteria reside.
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