Freezer burn –the white, dried-out patches found on improperly wrapped food– will not make you sick, but it will make the food tough and tasteless. To prevent freezer burn, foods stored in the freezer should be wrapped correctly in materials meant for freezing such as aluminum freezer foil, heavy freezer paper, or plastic freezer bags. Freezers will keep food items at optimum freshness and full flavor for an extended time, not forever. Different food items have recommended storage limits. For example, bacon should be stored in the freezer for no more than one month while chicken can be stored for up to 12 months. To obtain a complete list of recommended storage guidelines for food products contact your local county agent and request a food storage guide. ************** How is bacteria spread from raw meat to other foods? Bacteria in raw meat juices can contaminate foods that have been cooked safely or raw foods that will not be cooked, such as salad ingredients. Bacteria can also be