What food should be thrown out after a power outage? How long is food in a refrigerator or freezer safe without power? Are condiments safe after a power outage? Be prepared! Check these resources to know how to handle perishable food if the power goes out during a storm.
- Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods (Source: US Food & Drug Administration)
- Food Safety in a Disaster or Emergency (Source: Foodsafety.gov)
- Refrigerated Food and Power Outages: When to Save and When to Throw Out (Source: United States Department of Agriculture)
- How to Tell if Your Freezer Power Was Off When You Were Away (Source: Nebraska Extension)
Food Safety during Snow and Ice Storms
During a snowstorm, do not place perishable food out in the snow. Outside temperatures can vary and food can be exposed to unsanitary conditions and animals. Instead, make ice by filling buckets or cans with water and leave them outside to freeze. Use this ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers.
More information: USDA Offers Food Safety Tips for Areas Affected by Winter Storms (United States Department of Agriculture, USDA)
