Keeping Food Safe when the Power Goes Out

When a weather emergency strikes, a primary concern for consumers is what to do about the food in the refrigerator following a power outage. Between a tough economy and escalating food prices, there is enough reason to wax frugal. Yet ignoring food storage safety precautions proves more costly than trashing a few top sirloin steaks that "look okay" enough to eat.

Given the dangerous winter storms currently blanketing the Midwest, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reissued recommendations on how to keep food safe and lower the risk of food-borne illness.

Keeping food safe to eat when the power goes out

- Using an appliance thermometer, ensure that the freezer temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit and the refrigerator temperature is at 40 degrees F or below.

-Plan ahead by purchasing coolers and look for potential retailers of dry ice, block ice and cooler gel packs as needed. Otherwise, make your own ice blocks and cubes in advance.

-Group frozen foods together in the freezer. Optionally, migrate unfrozen foods (fresh meats and milk for instance) to the freezer to extend their safe-to-consume temperature.

-Keep the freezer (and fridge) door closed thereafter.

- Dispose of perishables such as meat, poultry, seafood, soft cheeses, dairy (e.g. milk, eggs), leftovers and deli items (e.g. potato salad) following four hours without power.

Food safety warning: This four-hour guideline by the USDA is less stringent than past recommendations and the two-hour recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given that appliances and cooling conditions are not created equal, this is another situation where an appliance thermometer becomes useful.

Saving frozen foods following a power outage:

Frozen foods may be kept safe for 24 to 48 hours - with a half-full to full freezer respectively - again as long as the door remains closed.

Look but don't taste. Food with visible ice crystals is considered safe for refreezing.

One somewhat common mistake for winter storm victims is to store food in the snow. This practice is unsafe for several reasons, among them: Despite cold temperatures, the sun's rays can thaw the food and make it a viable host for bacteria and contamination.

More details on keeping food safe during a power outage can be found at the USDA, whose bottom-line recommendation includes: "When in doubt, throw it out."

Sources:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_013111_01/index.asp
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/poweroutage/needtoknow.asp