Oct 24 2019

Power Shut-offs Affect Food Security: What to Do

A Guide to Protecting Refrigerated and Frozen Foods in a Power Outage

Don’t Open the Doors

The simplest and most basic way to help your food survive an extended power outage is to keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed.  According to the USDA, in a power outage, a refrigerator will stay cold for up to four hours, and a freezer will keep its temperature for 24 hours if it is half-full and 48 hours if it is full.  When power returns, it is tempting to open the refrigerator and check the food, but it is better to wait until the interior temperature is once more below 40 degrees, which will take hours.  Opening the doors prematurely will delay a return to normal refrigeration and can cause unnecessary additional food spoilage.

Put A Separate Thermometer in Your Refrigerator and Freezer

Many refrigerators only have settings to raise or lower the temperature, but don’t provide an actual temperature reading.  Keeping appliance thermometers inside your refrigerator and freezer allows you to monitor for proper cooling.  Your refrigerator should be at or below 40 ºF, and your freezer at or below 0 ºF.  Many refrigerators only have settings to raise or lower the temperature, but they don’t provide an actual temperature reading.

Keep Bottles of Water in Your Freezer

Keeping frozen bottles of water in your freezer will help keep frozen food cold longer, but  will also provide a supply of fresh drinking water.

If a Power Outage is Announced, Group Frozen Food

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends tightly compacting your freezer food if you are anticipating a power outage. This will help keep your food colder for a longer period of time.

If Announced Power Outage will be More Than 4 Hours, Transfer Foods to Freezer

Milk, meat, poultry and leftovers can be frozen and will defrost quickly when needed.  A freezer will keep its temperature for 24 hours if it is half-full and 48 hours if it is full.

Put Bags of Ice in Your Freezer

Making bags of ice will help maintain in Your Freezer’s temperature.

Buy Dry Ice when a Power Outage is Announced

Fifty pounds of dry ice will keep your freezer cold for up to two days.

Grill Food that is Thawing

Food that is beginning to thaw but is still at a safe temperature, can be cooked on the grill. Use a food thermometer to make sure each item is cooked to a safe internal temperature to kill any food-borne bacteria. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends a temperature of 145º F for beef, veal, lamb, pork and ham.  Poultry and ground meat mixtures should be cooked to 165º F

Further information available here.

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