2 months ago
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Here are some tips to make sure your food is safe to eat when the power goes out. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as long as it's less than two hours since the power went out, your food in the fridge and freezer is considered safe to eat.
- Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep the food cold for longer.
- After 2 hours, a freezer that is half filled can hold food safely for up to a day. A full freezer can do it for 2 days. Don't open the door.
- For the refrigerator section: Pack milk and other dairy, meat, eggs, fish and things that spoil in a cooler surround by ice.
- It is ALWAYS best to check the temperature of your food before you cook and eat it. If the thermometer reads anything more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, toss it out.
For guidelines on refreezing food when the power comes back on, visit the Food Safety and Inspection Service's Food Safety in an Emergency.
The following resources provide additional information on preparing for emergencies and determining if your food is safe after a power outage:
- Food Safety After a Power Outage, American Red Cross
Provides tips on safely storing your food and a chart to help you determine if your food is still safe. - Keeping Food Safe in an Emergency, United States Department of Agriculture
Fact sheet and FAQs on food and water safety including guidance on when to discard perishable foods. - Being Prepared, American Red Cross
Comprehensive site on preparing for emergencies including power outages. - Food Safety Office, CDC
Comprehensive food safety information.
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