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

What are the CDC guidelines for food after a power outage? ›

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Your refrigerator will keep food safe up to 4 hours without power. A full freezer will keep food safe for 48 hours and a half-full freezer will keep it safe for 24 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.

How long can food stay safe during 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.

What foods are safe from 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 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.

How long can milk stay in the fridge without power? ›

If the power's been out for more than four hours, refrigerated foods like milk, eggs, meats, poultry and fish should be thrown out, the CDC suggests.

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 to know if food is okay after a power outage? ›

General Food Safety of Refrigerated Foods

For all other products, most refrigerated foods are safe if the power outage was only 2-3 hours and if foods were held above 40ºF for 2 hours or less; however, for those who were without power for several days, most refrigerated foods should be discarded.

How long can a fridge go without power? ›

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.

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.

How do you keep beneficial bacteria alive during a power outage? ›

To prevent the beneficial bacteria in the filter from running out of oxygen, some hobbyists remove the filter media and place it in the aquarium itself, which holds greater amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water. Another good idea is to completely unplug the HOB and canister filters.

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.

Can I eat 5 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

What are the CDC guidelines for food spoilage? ›

Throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Check temperatures of food kept in coolers or your refrigerator with a cold source. Throw out food above 40°F. If you have an appliance thermometer in your freezer, check to see if it is still at 40 °F or below.

How to tell if frozen food is bad after a power outage? ›

Foods from the freezer:

If the food still contains ice crystals or is at 41 °F or below, the food is safe. If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, then check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, the food is safe.

How do you prepare for a long term power outage food? ›

Since there's a limit on how long your fridge stays cool after the power goes out, it's also a good idea to keep a supply of non-perishable foods (which don't need to be refrigerated) in your pantry. Staples such as canned goods like beans, soup, and fish are good bets, as are items like nut butter and protein bars.

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