If you’ve endured an extended power outage, you’re probably concerned about the safety of your food stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Cold temperatures play a crucial role in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of bacterial growth, increasing the likelihood of foodborne illnesses.
Here’s a summarized guide, compiled from information provided by the USDA and FoodSafety.gov, both of which recommend using this guide instead of relying on taste to determine food safety.
According to the USDA, refrigerated food remains safe for up to four hours during a power outage. After that, perishable items like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and cooked leftovers should be discarded.
Soft cheeses, such as mozzarella, brie, blue, or queso fresco, should be discarded, while hard cheeses like cheddar, Colby, Swiss, and parmesan can be kept.
Butter can be retained, but milk, buttermilk, yogurt, and sour cream should be discarded.
Uncut fresh fruits and vegetables can be kept, but if they’ve been cut, they should be discarded. Cooked vegetables, packaged greens, cooked tofu, casseroles, soups, stews, and potato salad should also be discarded.
Opened peanut butter, jelly, olives, pickles, and vinegar-based dressings can be kept, but opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, fish sauce, and cream-based dressings should be discarded.
Cooked tortillas, muffins, cakes, rolls, waffles, pancakes, and bread are safe to keep. However, uncooked biscuits, cookie dough, cooked pasta, rice or potatoes, cream-based desserts, and pasta salads should be discarded.
For items stored in the freezer, you have more time as long as the door remains closed. A half-stocked freezer should keep food safe for 24 hours, while a fully-stocked freezer can last up to 48 hours. Food can be refrozen safely if it still contains ice crystals or if its temperature is at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
If you’ve recently experienced a power loss, consider transferring some meats and other perishables to the freezer. Additionally, filling empty plastic jugs with water and placing them in empty spaces in the freezer can help maximize space.
If you’ve lost food due to a power outage, check if your home insurance provides coverage for spoiled food. Some homeowners and renters policies may cover up to $500 for spoiled food if the power outage meets certain criteria, without requiring a deductible payment.
