What is an indication of temperature abuse in frozen food?

The presence of ice crystals on frozen food is a clear indication of temperature abuse. When frozen food is stored at temperatures above its ideal freezing point, moisture from the food can evaporate and then recondense on the surface as ice crystals when temperatures drop again. This implies that the food has thawed and refrozen, which can compromise its quality, safety, and texture. Ice crystal formation can also lead to freezer burn, which negatively affects the flavor and can cause spoilage.

In contrast, consistent temperature throughout is expected in properly stored frozen foods and doesn't indicate temperature abuse. Similarly, no visible packaging damage suggests that the food is likely intact and has not been exposed to outside contaminants or air, which is a good sign rather than an indicator of temperature issues. Lastly, a firm texture is generally a characteristic of properly frozen food; a change in texture, such as becoming mushy, would be a sign of potential temperature fluctuation. Thus, the presence of ice crystals serves as the most evident sign of temperature abuse in frozen food.