Is food safe after a power outage?

The county’s Department of Public Health was at recent community resource events and had information on power outages and food safety.

During a power outage, food in refrigerators – if not connected to a generator – can become hazardous and make you sick. Any food that has been above 41 degrees for more than two hours in refrigerators or freezers should be thrown away.

How do you know if your food is safe to eat?

Public Health says to monitor your refrigerator temperature, which should be 41 degrees or below. Keep your refrigerator doors closed to maintain the cold temperature.

What should you discard?

• Perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers that were at a temperature above 41 degrees for two hours or more should be thrown out.
• Food with an unusual odor, color or texture should not be consumed. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Frozen food that is no longer frozen should be thrown out.
• Food still containing ice crystals or that feels refrigerator-cold can be refrozen. Discard any thawed food.
• Food that does not need to be refrigerated but has been kept cold by your preference may be eaten.

How do you properly dispose of food that was refrigerated or frozen?

• Place all food in heavy-duty trash bags.
• Do not open packages. There is a risk of illness if some foods (like meat) come in contact with you.
• Use disposable gloves to prevent contact with food that needs to be thrown out.
• Use face masks to help with the odors and to provide face protection.
• Use goggles if available to prevent fluids from splashing into your eyes.
• Wash your hands immediately after removing your gloves.

How do you sanitize your refrigerator and freezer?

• Use household bleach – make a bleach solution by adding two capfuls of bleach per gallon of water.
• Do not mix bleach and ammonia.
• Do not use anything stronger than bleach or ammonia. Do not use a caustic agent like lye.

During the recent power outage, both Public Health and the Office of Emergency Services were at these community resource events with trash bags, masks, disposable gloves and information for residents.