I will aim to make this guide as useful, informative, and simple to understand as possible, ensuring we cover the most relevant points regarding the implications of transporting food safely for all our customers: the final consumer, the restaurant, the caterer, and small, medium, or large businesses across the UK mainland.

When it comes to food safety and hygiene, there are several factors and regulations that professional and responsible businesses, like Casa Argentina Limited, must implement and strictly follow to prevent any issues and protect the consumer.

 

Why Thermal Boxes Matter: Ensuring Your Fresh and Frozen Food Arrives Safely

When you order fresh or frozen food online, ensuring it arrives in perfect condition is paramount. At Casa Argentina, we are committed to delivering not just authentic Argentinian delicacies but also the highest standards of safety and quality. That’s why we use thermal boxes and advanced cooling solutions for perishable deliveries. In this post, we’ll explain why thermal packaging is essential for your safety and why we charge for this specialised solution in most cases.

Food Safety First: The Importance of Temperature Control

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) sets clear guidelines to ensure the safety of food during delivery. Perishable items such as fresh meat, frozen empanadas, or chilled products must be kept at safe temperatures to avoid the risk of bacterial growth and foodborne illnesses.

How Our Thermal Boxes Protect Your Food

We invest in high-quality thermal boxes and cooling packs, approved by the FSA and other Food Standards Regulators in the UK, to ensure your food stays fresh and safe, even during long or challenging deliveries. Here’s a closer look at our packaging process:

Should Meat Arrive Frozen or Fresh When Delivered? Here’s What You Need to Know

 

Ordering premium meat online has become a normal part of everyday life in the UK. From weekend barbecues to special dinners, more people are choosing to have high-quality cuts delivered directly to their door. But a common question often arises:

Should meat arrive frozen or fresh when delivered?

At Casa Argentina, we’ve been delivering premium Argentine beef and other products across the UK for over 10 years. Along the way, we’ve answered this question hundreds of times. The short answer? It depends.

In this article, we’ll explain why sometimes your order arrives frozen and other times chilled, what factors influence this, and, most importantly, why both options are perfectly safe.

Fresh vs Frozen Meat: What’s the Difference?

The first thing to understand is whether the product you’ve purchased is sold as fresh or frozen.

• Fresh meat: Stored and transported at chilled temperatures (0–4°C). It retains its natural texture and is ready to cook or freeze once it arrives.

• Frozen meat: Stored and transported at –18°C or below. Freezing locks in freshness, giving the product a longer shelf life and more flexibility for storage at home.

At Casa Argentina, each product description clearly states whether it is sold fresh or frozen. That way, you know what to expect when adding items to your basket.

 

How Meat is Shipped Safely

Regardless of whether meat is fresh or frozen, the most important principle is maintaining the cold chain.

We use:

• Thermal insulated bags, Designed to reduce temperature fluctuations during transport.

• Coolant packs (ice gels), To keep the environment safely chilled.

• Express couriers, Ensuring the product spends as little time as possible in transit.

It’s important to note that thermal bags and coolant packs are not powered freezers, they do not have fans or batteries. Instead, they are engineered to maintain safe chilled conditions throughout delivery. Depending on several factors, your order may arrive still frozen or partially defrosted, but always within safe temperature ranges.

 

 

What Determines If Your Meat Arrives Frozen or Chilled?

Four main factors influence the final condition of your delivery:

1. Product Type

   • If you’ve ordered a frozen item, it will be packed accordingly. Some products naturally hold their frozen state better than others.

2. Season and Weather

   • In winter, products are more likely to arrive frozen because of the lower ambient temperatures. In summer, they may arrive safely chilled instead.

3. Delivery Distance and Time

   • Customers close to our London warehouse may receive meat that is still frozen. Longer journeys increase the chance of the product softening to a chilled state.

4. Packaging and Coolant

   • Our thermal bags and gel packs are designed to maintain the cold chain, not necessarily to keep items rock-solid frozen throughout.

 

The key point: whether your order arrives frozen or chilled, it has been kept safely within the correct temperature range.

 

Is It Safe to Refreeze Meat?

 

This is one of the biggest concerns customers raise. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) states that:

• Meat can be safely refrozen as long as it has been kept at a safe chilled temperature and has not been allowed to sit at room temperature for extended periods.

• The golden rule is: never refreeze meat that has been fully thawed at room temperature.

When your Casa Argentina order arrives chilled, you can either:

• Cook it straight away, or

• Freeze it again for later use.

Because our products remain within the cold chain during transport, they are safe to freeze once they arrive at your door.

 

 

Why We Sometimes Deliver Fresh Instead of Frozen

Some customers are surprised when their delivery is chilled, even if it started out frozen. But there are real benefits:

• Immediate cooking, No need to thaw before preparing your meal.

• Optimal texture, Fresh meat often retains a slightly different texture compared to frozen.

• Flexibility, You can cook tonight or freeze for later.

For many households, this is actually more convenient.

 

Our Promise to You

 

At Casa Argentina, our priority is not whether your order arrives frozen or fresh, it’s that it arrives safe, delicious, and ready to enjoy.

That means:

• We maintain the cold chain from our warehouse to your door.

• We only use trusted couriers who meet strict food-safety standards.

• We pack every order with care, using premium thermal insulation and ice packs.

• We provide clear information on whether each product is sold fresh or frozen before you buy.

And if you ever have a concern or question, we are here to explain, advise, and make sure you are 100% happy with your purchase.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I refreeze chilled meat from Casa Argentina?

Yes, as long as it has arrived chilled (not left at room temperature) and is stored properly once it reaches you.

Why was my delivery still frozen last time but not this time?

Factors such as weather, distance, and delivery speed all influence the final condition. Both outcomes are safe.

Is chilled meat lower quality than frozen?

No. Both are premium quality. Chilled meat simply gives you the option to cook immediately.

 

What if I’m not home to receive my order?

We always recommend being available on delivery day to transfer the products straight to your fridge or freezer.

 

So, should meat arrive frozen or fresh when delivered? The answer is: either can be correct.

What matters most is that the cold chain is maintained and the meat is safe to eat, whether you plan to cook it today or store it for later.

At Casa Argentina, our mission is to deliver the finest Argentine meat to your door with complete peace of mind. Whether it arrives frozen solid or perfectly chilled, you can trust it has been handled with care, expertise, and over a decade of experience.