Is Your Food Safe After a Power Outage?

This post originally written by Jeanne Gustafson

With the hot temperatures and several local power outages, including one in Issaquah last week and unincorporated Redmond several days ago, it's a good time to review what to do if you experience an extended outage.

When the Power Goes Out

The most important thing to remember is: keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed!

    •    A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if the door is kept closed.
    •    A full freezer will keep temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full). If your freezer is not full, group packages so they form an “igloo” to protect each other. Place them to one side or on a tray so that if they begin thawing, their juices won’t get on other foods.
    •    If the power is going to be out for an extended period of time, buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep a fully-stocked 18-cubic-feet freezer cold for two days.

When the Power Returns

Check the temperature inside of your refrigerator and freezer. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, or leftovers) that has been above 40° F for two hours or more.

You will have to evaluate each item separately. Discard any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture, or feels warm to the touch. When in doubt, throw it out! These charts help you evaluate specific foods:

    •    Refrigerated Foods: When to Save, When to Throw Out
    •    Frozen Food: When to Save, When to Throw Out

With frozen food, check for ice crystals! The food in your freezer that partially or completely thawed may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below.

Never taste a food to determine its safety!

For more information about food safety in an emergency, check out these resources:

    •    Power Outages: Key Tips for Consumers (FDA)
    •    In an Emergency (FoodSafety.gov)