Yes, Ziploc Slider Freezer Bags are officially designed and certified to be freezer safe. They are made with durable, BPA-free plastic designed to withstand freezing temperatures and protect your food from freezer burn.
Show your food some love and help extend the life of your food (and save some money while you're at it!) with Ziploc® Quart Slider Freezer Bags. Our Power Shield technology creates a tough, flexible film that's stronger than Hefty on punctures and tears*.
In short, freezer bags are thicker. How much thicker varies by brand, but Ziploc freezer bags are about twice as thick as non-freezer bags. This added thickness is supposed to help prevent tears and punctures, but it also increases the cost.
Yes, according to class-action lawsuits and consumer advocacy groups, Ziploc bags can release microplastics when frozen.
The main difference is that Freezer Ziploc bags are thicker and made with more durable plastics to withstand freezing temperatures, while regular Storage Ziploc bags are thinner and designed for everyday, room-temperature pantry or fridge use.
The best healthy, plastic-free alternatives for freezing food include reusable silicone bags, tempered glass jars, stainless steel containers, and compostable plant-based bags.
Putting a penny (or any coin) in the freezer is an easy trick used to check if your freezer lost power while you were away, and whether your frozen food is still safe to eat.
The safest containers to freeze food in are tempered glass (like Pyrex), food-grade stainless steel, and platinum silicone. These materials are chemically inert, meaning they won't leach harmful chemicals (like BPA or phthalates) into your food over time and won't absorb lingering stains or odors.
Avoid freezing foods with high water content, dairy, and fried items. Water expands when frozen, destroying cell structures, while emulsions in dairy and mayonnaise split. Freezing ruins textures, turning once-crisp items soggy or making creamy bases grainy and watery.
Yes, there is an active class-action lawsuit filed against S.C. Johnson & Son, the manufacturer of Ziploc products.
The healthiest way to freeze food is to use non-toxic, airtight containers like glass, stainless steel, or high-quality silicone to prevent freezer burn and chemical leaching. Cool food completely before freezing, pack it tightly to remove air, and use glass Mason jars for liquids to ensure a safe, sustainable, and nutrient-dense way to preserve meals.
Plastic containers and bags leach chemicals into the food that's being stored in it (even in the freezer) exposing you and your family to health risks. BPA-free plastic may be just as dangerous.
How to freeze freshly-made stock
According to Ziploc, what makes the performance of freezer bags fit for storing foods in the freezer are the following nine tried-and-true characteristics:
Ziploc® brand bags made with polyethylene are a great choice for food storage, but should not be used for sous vide cooking (boiling in water) as the softening point is 230°F and boiling point for water is 212°F.
The Amish refrigerate their food without relying on standard electrical power grids, instead using a blend of traditional, off-grid, and modern technologies. Methods include gas-powered refrigerators, traditional ice houses, and naturally cool underground spaces.
Do not freeze dairy products and raw eggs – they change their consistency and taste. Fruits and vegetables naturally high in water, such as lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, become mushy and inedible.
The 2-2-2 food rule is a simple guideline for managing leftovers safely and reducing food waste:
Excellent plastic-free and reusable alternatives to Ziploc bags for freezing include:
When building a stockpile, prioritize shelf-stable, calorie-dense foods that you already enjoy eating. The most versatile and nutritious items to hoard for emergencies include dry staples, long-lasting proteins, and fats that offer the best balance of sustenance and longevity.
Glass is generally better for freezing food because it is non-porous, meaning it will not absorb odors, stains, or leach chemicals into your meals over time. However, plastic is lighter and more shatter-resistant.
The "freezer trick" (or quarter test) is a simple food safety hack. By placing a coin on top of a frozen cup of water, you can determine if your food has thawed and refrozen during a power outage or while you were away.
You should never refreeze foods that were thawed on a counter, left at room temperature for over 2 hours, or that have signs of spoilage. Additionally, items like raw meat and high-moisture produce should not be refrozen for safety and quality reasons.
You may have heard of it: Freeze a cup of water solid, set a coin on top of the ice, and put it back in the freezer. The idea is that if your power goes out while you're away and the freezer warms enough for the ice to melt, the coin will drop down into the cup.