Power outages are inconvenient, but they can also pose a risk to your food safety. Knowing how long food can last in the refrigerator without power is crucial to preventing foodborne illnesses and minimizing waste. This guide provides comprehensive information on what to do before, during, and after a power outage to keep your food safe.
Understanding the Risks
When the power goes out, the temperature inside your refrigerator begins to rise. Bacteria thrive in temperatures between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), so it’s essential to act quickly to protect your food. The length of time food remains safe depends on several factors, including the initial temperature of the refrigerator, how full it is, and how often the door is opened.
General Guidelines for Refrigerated Food
According to the USDA, your refrigerator will keep food safe for approximately 4 hours during a power outage, provided the door remains closed as much as possible. This is a general guideline, and certain types of food are more susceptible to spoilage than others.
It’s important to understand that opening the refrigerator frequently will accelerate the warming process.
Specific Food Categories and Their Safety
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how long different types of refrigerated foods typically last without power:
Meats, Poultry, and Seafood
These are among the most perishable items in your refrigerator. Raw or cooked meats, poultry, fish, seafood, and soy meat substitutes should be discarded after 4 hours without power. Salads containing these ingredients (e.g., tuna salad, chicken salad) also need to be tossed.
Dairy Products
Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, yogurt, eggnog, and soy milk should be discarded after 4 hours. Butter and margarine, however, can be kept. Baby formula, once opened, should also be discarded.
Eggs
Fresh shell eggs, hard-cooked eggs, egg dishes, and egg products should be discarded after 4 hours. Custards and puddings, as well as quiche, also fall into this category.
Cheeses
Soft cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and mozzarella, are more prone to bacterial growth and should be discarded. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, and provolone can be kept. Processed cheeses and grated Parmesan/Romano in cans or jars are also safe to keep.
Fruits and Vegetables
Cut fresh fruits and vegetables should be discarded. Uncut fruits and vegetables generally remain safe. Opened fruit and vegetable juices can be kept, but discard opened vegetable juice if power is out for more than 4 hours. Pre-cut, pre-washed, and packaged greens should be discarded.
Sauces, Spreads, and Jams
Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, and horseradish should be discarded if they’ve 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, and barbecue sauce can be kept. Opened creamy-based dressings and spaghetti sauce should be discarded.
Breads, Cakes, Cookies, Pasta, and Grains
Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, and tortillas are safe to keep. However, refrigerator biscuits, rolls, and cookie dough should be discarded. Cooked pasta, rice, and potatoes, along with pasta salads containing mayonnaise or vinaigrette, should also be thrown out.
Properly organizing your refrigerator can help maintain consistent temperatures and improve food safety.
What About the Freezer?
A full freezer will maintain a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it’s half full) if the door remains closed. Food can be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or if its temperature is 40°F (4°C) or below. However, refreezing may affect the quality of the food. Always err on the side of caution and discard anything that seems questionable.
Key Steps to Take During a Power Outage
- Keep the doors closed: This is the most critical step. Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer unless absolutely necessary.
- Monitor the temperature: If you have a thermometer in your refrigerator, check the temperature as soon as the power returns.
- Discard questionable items: When in doubt, throw it out. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Group food together: This helps to insulate items and keep them colder for longer.
- Have coolers ready: If you know a power outage is likely, have coolers and ice packs on hand to transfer perishable items if the outage extends beyond 4 hours.
What to Do After the Power Returns
Once the power is back on, evaluate the contents of your refrigerator and freezer carefully. Don’t taste food to determine its safety. Follow the guidelines above to determine which items are safe to keep and which should be discarded.
Conclusion
Knowing how long food can last in the refrigerator without power is essential for maintaining food safety during an emergency. By following these guidelines, you can minimize waste and protect yourself and your family from foodborne illnesses. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out!
