Spoiled Food and Fridge Power Outage Safety¶
During power outages or appliance breakdowns, refrigerated and frozen food can spoil quickly, causing bacterial growth and foodborne illness.
Do this now¶
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours. A full unopened freezer keeps safe temperatures for 48 hours (24 hours if half full).
- Track the duration of the outage. Note the exact time power went out.
- Use digital or appliance thermometers. Check food temperatures when power returns. Perishable food held above 4 °C (40 °F) for more than 2 hours must be discarded.
- Discard high risk items after 4 hours without power. Throw away raw meat, poultry, fish, eggs, soft cheeses, milk, cooked leftovers, and cut fruits if the fridge has been above 4 °C (40 °F) for over 2 hours.
... danger "When in doubt, throw it out" Never taste food to determine if it is safe. Bacteria that cause food poisoning do not always alter the smell, appearance, or taste of food.
Safe food items after power loss¶
- Hard cheeses (such as parmesan or cheddar)
- Unopened commercial condiment bottles (mustard, ketchup, relish, salad dressings)
- Whole uncut fruits and vegetables
- Bread, tortillas, pastries, and baked goods