Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page of GreekMarket.co.uk, your premier online destination for authentic Greek products and delicacies in the United Kingdom.
In our dedication to serve you better and enhance your shopping experience, we have compiled a comprehensive list of FAQs.
This page is designed to provide quick and easy answers to your queries about our products, ordering process, shipping details, and more. With a focus on traditional Greek foods, cultural items, and unique Mediterranean specialties, our goal is to bring a taste of Greece right to your doorstep.
By addressing your common questions, we aim to enrich your understanding and appreciation of Greek culinary delights, thereby strengthening our presence in the UK market and ensuring our website is a go-to resource for all things Greek.
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Understanding Product State and Temperature:
- Solid Gel Packs: The presence of solid gel packs is a good sign. It indicates that the internal temperature of the packaging has likely been maintained well below the freezing point throughout transit. This helps in keeping the products at a safe temperature.
- Soft to the Touch: Products feeling soft to the touch does not necessarily mean they have fully defrosted. Meat and other frozen foods can begin to soften before they actually enter the “danger zone” (8°C to 63°C according to the UK’s Food Standards Agency or 4°C to 60°C according to USDA), where bacterial growth becomes a concern. Softening can occur at temperatures that are still safe, such as just below freezing.
Safety and Refreezing:
- Refreezing Guidelines: If the gel packs are mostly solid and the product has remained chilled (even if soft), it is generally safe to refreeze the product without cooking it first. The solid state of the gel packs suggests the product was kept out of the danger zone.
- Quality Consideration: Although safe, refreezing may affect the texture and quality of the product due to ice crystals that may have formed and then partially melted. This is more noticeable in delicate items like fish or finely sliced meats.
Best Practices for Handling Deliveries:
- Immediate Inspection: Upon delivery, immediately check the state of the gel packs.
- Feel the Package: If the product feels cold to the touch, similar to how it would feel in your refrigerator, it is likely that it has been kept at a safe temperature.
- Refreezing: If the product is soft but cold, and the gel packs are solid, it is safe to refreeze.
Refreezing thawed food is safe if the food has been handled properly and kept at a safe temperature (below 8°C according to the UK’s Food Standards Agency) before refreezing. However, there may be a slight loss in flavour due to moisture lost during the thawing process, especially in delicate items like seafood or ready-to-eat foods.
Although you see to thaw and to defrost used almost interchangeably, there is a difference. To defrost means simply to release from the frozen state, while to thaw as a transitive verb means to cause to become free from the effects of cold (hardness, stiffness, numbness) through exposure to warmth. A frozen product soft to the touch does not necessarily mean it’s been fully defrosted.
We dispatch frozen products using trusted courier services, ensuring delivery within 24 hours for UK customers. Our specialised packaging guarantees that frozen items maintain their temperature for at least 48 hours post-dispatch.
Upon arrival, you might notice a slight rise in temperature. This brief temperature increase is similar to the duration it takes to transport frozen goods from a supermarket to your home freezer (typically 1 to 2 hours). It’s essential to check the condition of the gel packs included in your package. If they remain mostly solid upon delivery, it indicates that the frozen items are still well below 0°C, ensuring safe consumption. Such items can either be consumed directly, stored in the fridge for a few days, or keep them in freezer.
Bear in mind that products have varying densities; hence, some might feel softer than others when unpacked. Rely on the gel packs’ state as a true indicator of temperature – if they’re mostly hard, the items remain safely frozen.
- Highly reflective, double-layered true aluminium foil box liners for maximum insulation.
- Recyclable, Re-usable. Keep them for free.
Gel Packs
- Comprised of an internal water-based polymer gel, which remains frozen for a long period of time and a layer of LDPE which is safe for food contact, has high impact strength and is resistant against chemicals.
- Recyclable, Re-usable. Keep them for free.
Greek Market Gel Ice Packs are used to keep your frozen products at the required temperature for 24-48 hours in our special containers. Our gel ice packs are filled with a non-toxic solution. You can re-use them for a picnic or in a lunch box if you like. Once you’re finished, melt the ice packs, cut open the bags and pour the non-toxic solution down the drain using hot water to dissolve the gel. Don’t forget to recycle the plastic casing!
Greek Market customers may contact us via the official GreekMarket.co.uk Contact Form
Business customers please visit B2b.GREEKMARKET.CO.UK