Freezing results in the loss of the ability of bacteria to multiply and in sub-lethal injury, and it seems that this effect depends on the freezing temperature and composition of the bacterial community present. This could explain the absence of changes in the bacterial load of the CFS. The absence of change in bacterial load of CFS during frozen storage agreed with the finding of Rota and Gonzalez (2006) who indicated that frozen storage at −18 °C was not a significant factor in the bacterial count. In addition, Moorhead and Dykes (2002) found that aerobic bacterial levels did not decrease on beef trimming during storage at −18 °C over 84 days.