Power is out-now what?

6/18/2020 (Permalink)

Food safety during a power outage

The power has gone out, now what?

There are often a lot of questions. How long do you have until your food is in trouble? What temperature is it not safe anymore?

Below are a few helpful hints on food in the power outage process:

1. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as long as humanly possible. This will maintain the colder temperature longer.
• The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if unopened.
• A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
2. Buy dry ice! This will keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time.
3. If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish, or eggs while they are still at safe temperatures, it is important that each item is thoroughly cooked to a safe. This helps to ensure that any foodborne bacteria that may be present are destroyed.

However, if at any point the food was above 40º F for 2 hours or more (or 1 hour if temperatures are above 90 º F) — discard it.

Be safe. Stay healthy. And hopefully your power is only out a shorter period of time.