How long should food be kept in the freezer?

Use this chart to label any food that goes in your freezer. Be sure to package the food properly and ensure the freezer is set at -18C. Never refreeze food or thaw it in the sink. Never merely warm leftovers which encourages bacteria, always thoroughly reheat to piping hot.

1-2 Months
Bread (sliced)
Milk
Soups
Stews
Sausages
Pancakes, pikelets and waffles
Shellfish (raw and cooked)
Scones (unbaked)
Cakes (unbaked)
Biscuits (unbaked)
Sandwiches (2 wks - 1 mth, depending on the filling

2-3 Months
Cream
Cottage cheese
Cakes
Scones
Ice cream
Bread (unbaked)
Pastry (baked and unbaked)
Offal and bacon
Oily fish (such as sardines, trout, mullet)
Filled pies (unbaked)
Minced meat (except beef)
Poultry giblets
Leftover dishes

3-4 Months
Ham
Lamb
Cheddar cheese (grated)
Butter (salted)
White-fleshed fish
Fruit cake (unbaked)

4-6 Months
Minced beef
Veal
Game
Pork
Butter (unsalted)

6-8 Months
Bread (unsliced)
Biscuits
Pizza
Filled pies

8-12 Months
Beef
Poultry
Fruit
Vegetables
Fruit cake

Source: Cooking, a commonsense guide (Murdoch Books)