Mooncakes should not be eaten after being frozen in the refrigerator for up to a year. Typically, the shelf life of mooncakes is set within 3 months. Even if the low-temperature freezing method is used, it can only delay rather than prevent the deterioration process. Over time, the quality of mooncakes will gradually decrease, so it is not recommended to eat mooncakes that have been stored for so long. Eating mooncakes that have been frozen for a long time may pose a health threat.
Specifically, mooncakes that have expired and been frozen for a year lose the effectiveness of the preservatives contained in them, and the packaging may be damaged, providing an environment for bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio. Ingesting these contaminated mooncakes may lead to food poisoning, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Even more serious is that long-term freezing may cause mooncakes to become moldy, leading to the production of harmful substances such as nitrosamines, acrylamide, and aflatoxin, all of which are known carcinogens. They cause significant damage to the liver, and in cases of acute poisoning, patients often exhibit symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever.
Therefore, consumers are advised to purchase fresh mooncakes and buy them in appropriate quantities according to their actual needs to avoid health risks caused by storing mooncakes for too long. Considering that mooncakes contain high levels of sugar and fat, individuals with diabetes and those who are managing their weight should consume them cautiously.
