Food Safety During Power Outage (2024)

Meat, poultry, seafoodRaw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood;
soy meat substitutesDiscardThawing meat or poultryDiscardSalads: Meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, or egg saladDiscardGravy, stuffing, brothDiscardLunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beefDiscardPizza with any toppingDiscardCanned hams labeled "Keep Refrigerated"DiscardCanned meats and fish, openedDiscardCasseroles, soups, stewsDiscardCheeseSoft cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, queso frescoDiscardHard cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, RomanoKeepProcessed cheesesKeepShredded cheesesDiscardLow-fat cheesesDiscardGrated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar)KeepDairyMilk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, soy milkDiscardButter, margarineKeepBaby formula, openedDiscardEggsFresh shell eggs, eggs hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg productsDiscardCustards and puddings, quicheDiscardFruitsFresh fruits, cutDiscardFresh fruits, uncutKeepFruit juices, openedKeepCanned fruits, openedKeepDried fruits, raisins, candied fruits, datesKeepSliced or shredded coconutDiscardSauces, Spreads, JamsOpened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradishDiscard
(if above 50°F (10°C) for more than 8 hrs)Peanut butterKeepJelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, picklesKeepWorcestershire, soy, barbecue, hoisin saucesKeepFish sauces, oyster sauceDiscardOpened vinegar-based dressingsKeepOpened creamy-based dressingsDiscardSpaghetti sauce, openedDiscardBread, cakes, cookies, pasta, grainsBread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillasKeepRefrigerator biscuits, rolls, cookie doughDiscardCooked pasta, rice, potatoesDiscardPasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigretteDiscardFresh pastaDiscardCheesecakeDiscardBreakfast foods: waffles, pancakes, bagelsKeepPies and pastryCream filled pastriesDiscardPies: Any with filling containing eggs or milk, e.g., custard, cheese-filled, or chiffon; quiche.DiscardFruit piesKeepVegetablesFresh vegetables, cutDiscardFresh vegetables, uncutKeepFresh mushrooms, herbs, spicesKeepGreens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packagedDiscardVegetables, cookedDiscardTofu, cookedDiscardVegetable juice, openedDiscardBaked potatoesDiscardCommercial garlic in oilDiscardPotato saladDiscardCasseroles, soups, stewsDiscard
Food Safety During Power Outage (2024)

FAQs

Food Safety During Power Outage? ›

After 4 hours, throw out perishable foods, such as raw meat, milk, and leftovers. During a power outage, foods in a half-full freezer are safe up to 24 hours. Like the refrigerator, remember to keep the freezer door closed as much as possible. If the freezer is full, food can stay safe up to 48 hours.

How long can food stay safe during power outage? ›

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

What food is safe to eat after power outage? ›

Refrigerated foods that can be held at temperatures above 40ºF until power returns include: hard cheeses, butter, margarine, fresh fruits, fruit juice, fresh unpeeled vegetables, salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, olives, pickles, jams, jellies and peanut butter.

How do you keep food fresh during a power outage? ›

During a Power Outage

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. The refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours. If the power is off longer, you can transfer food to a cooler and fill with ice or frozen gel packs. Make sure there is enough ice to keep food in the cooler at 40°F or below.

Which of the following food items would be unsafe to eat after a power outage? ›

Discard perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) in your refrigerator when the power has been off for 4 hours or more. Thawed food that contains ice crystals can be refrozen or cooked.

Do I have to throw out butter after a power outage? ›

Hard cheese, butter and margarine.

Well packaged products should remain safe; if odors or mold develops, discard the items.

What condiments to throw out after a power outage? ›

Discard opened mayonnaise, horseradish and tartar sauce if held above 50o F for more than 8 hours. Discard milk, cream, sour cream, yogurt, cream cheese, soy milk and eggs if held above 40o F for more than 2 hours.

Are eggs still good in a power outage? ›

As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.

Should cheese be thrown out after a power outage? ›

Foods from the refrigerator:

Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after 4 hours without power or 2 hours after the temperature rises above 41 °F. At any time, discard spoiled, moldy food and anything that does not look or smell right.

What food is shelf stable for power outage? ›

Good options include low-sodium canned beans, vegetables, fruit (packed in fruit juice), breakfast cereal, peanut butter, pouches of fully cooked whole grains, nuts, whole-wheat crackers, snack bars, and shelf-stable milk or plant milk (the kind sold in aseptic boxes in the grocery aisle).

How long does cheese last in the fridge without power? ›

When left unopened, your fridge should be able to keep its contents cold for about 4 hours and your freezer for 24-48 hours, depending on how full it is. As a rule of thumb, you should discard any perishable foods that have been stored above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours.

How do you prevent food spoilage in a power outage? ›

Perishable foods should not be held above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours. If an outage is likely to be longer than 2 hours, refrigerated milk, dairy products, meats, fish, poultry, eggs and leftovers can also be packed into a cooler surrounded by ice.

What foods to throw away after a power outage? ›

After four hours without power, throw out perishable foods in the fridge, such as meat, fish, cut fries and vegetables, eggs, milk and leftovers. After 24 hours, throw out perishable foods in the freezer. Throw out foods with strange odors, colors, or textures. Throw out food above 40 degrees.

Can you flush the toilet when the power is out? ›

Depending on the amount of water remaining in the pipes, you might be able to flush your toilet several times while the power is out. Eventually, however, your tank won't fill up anymore because the pumps are down. When this happens, you will need to flush your toilet manually by pouring in a bucket of water.

How to preserve food without electricity? ›

Non-Electric Fresh Food Preservation
  1. Root cellars to preserve the harvest.
  2. Tater Holes – Simple, low-tech food preservation.
  3. Staple food preservation – Freezing beans and grains to kill bugs.
  4. Drying to preserve the harvest.
  5. Periodic checks for bugs and rot.

Is it safe to eat food left out for 4 hours? ›

Myth: You shouldn't put hot foods in the refrigerator.

If you leave food out to cool and forget about it after 2 hours, throw it away. Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Can you put ice bags in the fridge during a power outage? ›

Power Outage Expected to Last More Than a Day

An ice chest packed with ice or snow can keep food cold. Bags of ice or block ice can be purchased and placed in the refrigerator to keep food cold. Dry ice from a local ice company or grocery store can help save frozen food.

Will food spoil at 50 degrees in the refrigerator? ›

Before using any foods, check your refrigerator and freezer thermometers. If the fridge is still at or below 40 °F, or the food has been above 40 °F for only 2 hours or less, it should be safe to eat.

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