Food Safety Tips Following Power Outages

Monday’s thunderstorms swept across many towns, causing power outages to many homes. The Knox County Health Department urges residents to prioritize food safety to prevent foodborne illnesses following the recent area storms.

Loss of power leads to refrigerators sitting idle, creating food waste issues; however, there are ways to keep food safe and salvage what you have.

Key Food Safety Recommendations:

1. Keep Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Closed:

2. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if unopened.

3. A full freezer will maintain its temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if half full) if the door remains closed.

1. Monitor Temperatures:

2. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of your refrigerator or freezer. The refrigerator should be at or below 41°F, and the freezer should be at or below 0°F.

3. Discard any perishable food (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that has been above 41°F for 2 hours or more.

1. When in Doubt, Throw it Out:

2. If you are unsure whether a particular food item is safe, do not taste it. It is better to discard it to prevent the risk of foodborne illness.

1. Foods to Toss: Bacterial growth can take place in foods that have been above 41°F for two hours or more. Discard the following if your refrigerator has been without power for more than four hours:

2. Raw, cooked, or leftover meat, poultry, fish, soft cheese, milk, yogurt, eggs, leftovers, hot dogs, bacon, lunch meats, shredded cheeses, casseroles, pasta and pasta sauces, cut fruits and vegetables.

3. Mixed salads such as tuna, chicken, potato, and pasta salads.

4. Cream-based salad dressings.

5. Sour cream-based or any dairy-based dips.

1. Examine Each Item Separately:

2. Some foods may appear safe even if they are not. Use both time and temperature to decide which foods to keep and which to discard.

How to clean

Once the power is restored, here is how to care for the inside of your refrigerator or freezer and rid them of any odors.

• Dispose of any spoiled or questionable food.

• With hot water and detergent wash the interior of the refrigerator and freezer including the doors and rubber gaskets, remove the shelves, crispers, and ice trays to wash thoroughly.

• Rinse everything with a sanitizing solution of 1 tablespoon unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.

• Leave the door open for about 15 minutes.

If you have further questions regarding food and power outages, please contact the Health Department at 309-344-2224.