Power outages can happen unexpectedly, and one of the immediate concerns for many households is food safety, particularly how long food can safely remain in the refrigerator without power. Understanding the guidelines for food storage during these situations is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses and minimize food waste. This guide provides essential information on how to keep your food safe when the power goes out.
Understanding Food Safety During Power Outages
When the electricity goes out, your refrigerator stops actively cooling, and the temperature inside begins to rise. The crucial factor determining food safety is the internal temperature of your refrigerator and freezer. Bacteria multiply rapidly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F (4°C and 60°C), known as the “danger zone.”
The 4-Hour Rule for Refrigerated Foods
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), refrigerated food is generally safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage, provided the refrigerator door remains closed as much as possible. This is because a refrigerator, when fully functional, is designed to maintain a safe temperature for a short period even without power. However, this timeframe is not indefinite, and careful evaluation is necessary after a power outage.
Factors that can influence how long your food stays safe include:
- Initial Temperature: How cold was your refrigerator set to before the outage? A colder setting provides a longer buffer.
- Fullness of Refrigerator: A full refrigerator retains cold temperatures longer than a partially filled one because the mass of the food helps to keep the cold air inside.
- Room Temperature: In hotter weather, the refrigerator will warm up faster than in cooler conditions.
- Frequency of Door Openings: Every time the refrigerator door is opened, cold air escapes, and warm air enters, speeding up the warming process.
Refrigerator Food Safety Chart: When to Save and When to Discard
After a power outage, it’s vital to assess each food item individually. Never taste food to determine its safety. When in doubt, it is always safer to discard potentially unsafe food. Use the following guidelines to help you decide what to keep and what to throw away after your refrigerator has been without power for more than 4 hours or if you are unsure of the duration or temperature.
| Type of Food | Exposed to temperatures above 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours |
|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, Seafood | |
| Raw or cooked meat, poultry, fish, seafood, soy meat substitutes | Discard |
| Thawing meat or poultry | Discard |
| Meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, or egg salads | Discard |
| Gravy, stuffing, broth | Discard |
| Lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef | Discard |
| Pizza with any topping | Discard |
| Canned hams labeled “Keep Refrigerated” | Discard |
| Opened canned meats and fish | Discard |
| Casseroles, soups, stews | Discard |
| Cheese | |
| Soft cheeses (Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream cheese, mozzarella, ricotta) | Discard |
| Hard cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone) | Keep |
| Processed cheeses | Keep |
| Shredded cheeses | Discard |
| Low-fat cheeses | Discard |
| Grated Parmesan/Romano (canned or jar) | Keep |
| Dairy | |
| Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, yogurt, soy milk, eggnog | Discard |
| Butter, margarine | Keep |
| Opened baby formula | Discard |
| Eggs | |
| Fresh shell eggs, hard-cooked eggs, egg dishes, egg products | Discard |
| Custards, puddings, quiche | Discard |
| Fruits | |
| Cut fresh fruits | Discard |
| Uncut fresh fruits | Keep |
| Opened fruit juices | Keep |
| Opened canned fruits | Keep |
| Dried fruits, raisins, dates, candied fruits | Keep |
| Sliced or shredded coconut | Discard |
| Sauces, Spreads, Jams | |
| Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish | Discard (if above 50°F (10°C) for more than 8 hrs) |
| Peanut butter | Keep |
| Jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, pickles | Keep |
| Worcestershire, soy, barbecue, hoisin sauces | Keep |
| Fish sauces, oyster sauce | Discard |
| Opened vinegar-based dressings | Keep |
| Opened creamy-based dressings | Discard |
| Opened spaghetti sauce | Discard |
| Bread, Cakes, Cookies, Pasta, Grains | |
| Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, tortillas, quick breads | Keep |
| Refrigerator biscuits, rolls, cookie dough | Discard |
| Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes | Discard |
| Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette | Discard |
| Fresh pasta | Discard |
| Cheesecake | Discard |
| Breakfast foods (waffles, pancakes, bagels) | Keep |
| Pies and Pastry | |
| Cream-filled pastries | Discard |
| Pies with egg or milk fillings (custard, cheese-filled, chiffon, quiche) | Discard |
| Fruit pies | Keep |
| Vegetables | |
| Cut fresh vegetables | Discard |
| Uncut fresh vegetables | Keep |
| Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spices | Keep |
| Pre-cut, pre-washed, packaged greens | Discard |
| Cooked vegetables | Discard |
| Cooked tofu | Discard |
| Opened vegetable juice | Discard |
| Baked potatoes | Discard |
| Commercial garlic in oil | Discard |
| Potato salad | Discard |
| Casseroles, soups, stews | Discard |
Freezer Food Safety: Keeping Food Frozen
Download Refrigerated Food During Power Outage Safety Chart
Freezers are more effective at maintaining food safety during power outages than refrigerators. A full freezer can keep food safe for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. The key is to minimize door openings to preserve the cold temperature.
Food in the freezer may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or feels as cold as if refrigerated. However, the quality of refrozen food, especially fruits and vegetables, may suffer in terms of texture and flavor due to moisture loss.
Download Frozen Food During Power Outage Safety Chart
| Type of food | Contains ice crystals and feels cold as if refrigerated | Exposed to temperatures above 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, poultry, seafood | ||
| Meat, poultry, seafood – all cuts | Refreeze | Discard |
| Stews, soups | Refreeze | Discard |
| Dairy | ||
| Milk | Refreeze (texture may change) | Discard |
| Eggs (out of shell) and egg products | Refreeze | Discard |
| Ice cream, frozen yogurt | Discard | Discard |
| Cheese (soft and semi-soft) | Refreeze (texture may change) | Discard |
| Hard cheeses | Refreeze | Refreeze |
| Shredded cheeses | Refreeze | Discard |
| Cheesecake | Refreeze | Discard |
| Fruits | ||
| Juices | Refreeze | Refreeze (discard if mold, yeasty smell, or sliminess) |
| Home or commercially packaged fruits | Refreeze (texture and flavor will change) | Refreeze (discard if mold, yeasty smell, or sliminess) |
| Vegetables | ||
| Juices | Refreeze | Discard after held above 40°F (4°C) for 6 hours |
| Home or commercially packaged or blanched vegetables | Refreeze (texture and flavor may change) | Discard after held above 40°F (4°C) for 6 hours |
| Breads and pastries | ||
| Breads, rolls, muffins, cakes (without custard) | Refreeze | Refreeze |
| Cakes, pies, pastries with custard or cheese filling | Refreeze | Discard |
| Pie crusts, commercial and homemade bread dough | Refreeze (some quality loss) | Refreeze (considerable quality loss) |
| Other Foods | ||
| Casseroles: pasta, rice-based | Refreeze | Discard |
| Flour, cornmeal, nuts | Refreeze | Refreeze |
| Breakfast items: waffles, pancakes, bagels | Refreeze | Refreeze |
| Frozen meals, entrees, specialty items (pizza, etc.) | Refreeze | Discard |
Tips to Prepare for Power Outages and Food Safety
Being prepared for power outages can significantly reduce food loss and ensure safety:
- Keep Appliance Thermometers: Have a refrigerator and freezer thermometer to monitor the temperature during a power outage. This will help you determine if your food has remained at safe temperatures.
- Freeze Water Bottles: Freeze water bottles or ice packs to place in your refrigerator and freezer during an outage to help maintain colder temperatures for longer.
- Keep Doors Closed: Instruct family members to minimize opening the refrigerator and freezer doors during a power outage.
- Know Your Power Outage Duration: If possible, find out from your electricity provider how long the outage is expected to last. This will help you make informed decisions about your food.
- Have a Cooler Ready: In case of prolonged outages, have a cooler and ice ready to transfer essential refrigerated items if needed.
Conclusion
During a power outage, understanding how long food can safely stay in your refrigerator is essential for preventing foodborne illness. Remember the 4-hour rule for refrigerated foods and the 48-hour rule for a full freezer. Always prioritize safety: When in doubt, throw it out. By being prepared and informed, you can navigate power outages safely and minimize food waste.
Download Refrigerated Food During Power Outage Safety Chart
Download Frozen Food During Power Outage Safety Chart
