Frozen food timelines vary, depending on the type of food being placed in the freezer, although the general rule across all food groups is three months. According to FoodSafety.gov, a site that compiles food safety information from several U.S. government agencies, certain types of meat should be consumed within one to two months of freezing. These meats include hot dogs, lunch or deli meat, bacon, and sausage. Whole chickens can last for up to a year when frozen properly, and lamb and beef steaks, chops, and roasts can last for up to 12 months as well. Packaged foods will often include a “best by” date, which you can use to determine when to eat them. If the food has been properly sealed before freezing, it's generally considered safe to eat even after the date printed on the packaging, although the texture or quality may not be as good.