A power outage can be a major inconvenience, especially when it comes to keeping your food safe. Knowing how long food can be in the fridge without power is crucial to preventing foodborne illnesses and minimizing waste. This guide provides detailed information and practical tips to help you navigate this situation effectively.
According to the USDA, your refrigerator will keep food safe for approximately 4 hours during a power outage, provided you keep the door closed as much as possible. The key is maintaining a temperature below 40°F (4°C). After this time, perishable foods become susceptible to bacterial growth and may pose a health risk.
Refrigerator Food Safety During a Power Outage
Here’s a breakdown of how to handle different types of food in your refrigerator during a power outage:
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Meat, Poultry, Seafood: Raw or cooked meat, poultry, fish, seafood, soy meat substitutes, and salads containing these ingredients should be discarded if they have been exposed to temperatures above 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours. This also includes thawing meat or poultry, gravy, stuffing, broth, lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef, and pizza with any topping.
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Cheese: Soft cheeses like blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, and queso fresco should be discarded. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, and Romano, as well as processed cheeses and grated Parmesan/Romano (in cans or jars), can be kept.
Alt text: Cheese varieties including cheddar, brie, and mozzarella, illustrating safe and unsafe options during power outages.
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Dairy: Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, and soy milk should be discarded. Butter and margarine can be kept. Baby formula that has been opened should also be discarded.
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Eggs: Fresh shell eggs, hard-cooked eggs in the shell, egg dishes, and egg products should be discarded. Custards, puddings, and quiche also fall into this category.
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Fruits: Cut fresh fruits should be discarded, while uncut fresh fruits can be kept. Opened fruit juices and canned fruits can also be kept. Dried fruits, raisins, candied fruits, and dates are safe to keep. Sliced or shredded coconut should be discarded.
Alt text: Assorted cut fruits in a bowl, emphasizing the need to discard them if unrefrigerated during a power outage.
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Sauces, Spreads, Jams: Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, and horseradish should be discarded if they have been above 50°F (10°C) for more than 8 hours. Peanut butter, jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, ketchup, olives, pickles, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, and hoisin sauce can be kept. Fish sauces and oyster sauce should be discarded, as well as opened creamy-based dressings and spaghetti sauce. Opened vinegar-based dressings are safe to keep.
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Bread, Cakes, Cookies, Pasta, Grains: Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, and tortillas can be kept. Refrigerator biscuits, rolls, and cookie dough should be discarded. Cooked pasta, rice, and potatoes should be discarded, as well as pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette and fresh pasta. Cheesecake should be discarded, while breakfast foods like waffles, pancakes, and bagels can be kept.
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Pies and Pastry: Cream-filled pastries and pies with fillings containing eggs or milk (e.g., custard, cheese-filled, or chiffon) should be discarded. Fruit pies can be kept.
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Vegetables: Cut fresh vegetables should be discarded, while uncut fresh vegetables can be kept. Fresh mushrooms, herbs, and spices are safe to keep. Pre-cut, pre-washed, and packaged greens should be discarded, as well as cooked vegetables and tofu. Opened vegetable juice and baked potatoes should be discarded. Commercial garlic in oil and potato salad also need to be discarded.
Freezer Food Safety During a Power Outage
A full freezer will maintain a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
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Meat, Poultry, Seafood: All types of cuts of meat, poultry, and seafood, as well as stews and soups, can be refrozen if they still contain ice crystals and feel cold as if refrigerated.
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Dairy: Milk and soft/semi-soft cheeses can be refrozen, although there may be some loss of texture. Hard and shredded cheeses can also be refrozen. Ice cream and frozen yogurt should be discarded.
Alt text: A well-stocked freezer, illustrating the role of a full freezer in maintaining safe temperatures during power outages.
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Fruits: Juices, whether home or commercially packaged, can be refrozen. However, discard if mold, a yeasty smell, or sliminess develops. Home or commercially packaged fruits will change in texture and flavor when refrozen.
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Vegetables: Juices can be refrozen. Home or commercially packaged or blanched vegetables may suffer texture and flavor loss when refrozen. Discard after being held above 40°F (4°C) for 6 hours.
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Breads and Pastries: Breads, rolls, muffins, and cakes (without custard fillings) can be refrozen. Cakes, pies, and pastries with custard or cheese filling should be discarded. Commercial and homemade pie crusts and bread dough can be refrozen, but some quality loss may occur.
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Other Foods: Casseroles (pasta or rice-based) should be discarded. Flour, cornmeal, and nuts can be refrozen. Breakfast items like waffles, pancakes, and bagels can be refrozen. Frozen meals, entrees, and specialty items should be discarded.
Important Reminders
- Never taste food to determine its safety.
- When in doubt, throw it out!
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the temperature.
- Evaluate each item separately using the guidelines provided.
By following these guidelines, you can minimize food waste and ensure your food remains safe to eat during and after a power outage. Staying informed is the best way to protect yourself and your family from foodborne illnesses.
