The freeze-by-date indicates that meat needs to be what?

The freeze-by-date specifically refers to a deadline by which food products, particularly meats, should be frozen to preserve their quality and safety. When meat is left beyond this date without being frozen, it may begin to deteriorate, increasing the risk of spoilage and foodborne illnesses. Freezing meat at or before the freeze-by-date halts the growth of bacteria and allows for longer storage while maintaining its taste and texture.

In this context, cooking, cooling, or checking meat aren’t the actions that align with the freeze-by-date guideline. Cooking is a method of preparing food, cooling is about bringing food temperature down after cooking, and checking could refer to assessing the quality or safety of food rather than preserving it. Hence, freezing is the appropriate action that correlates directly with the freeze-by-date.