Photo: USDA Flickr
Winter is in full control which can lead to power outages from storms. Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Always keep meat, poultry, fish, and eggs refrigerated at or below 40 °F and frozen food at or below 0 °F. This may be difficult when the power is out.
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. Obtain dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot full freezer for 2 days. Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased.
Food thermometers and appliance thermometers will help you know if the food is at safe temperatures. Keep appliance thermometers in the refrigerator and freezer at all times.
Prepare one meal at a time so there are no leftovers. Don’t leave food sit at room temperature or in warm environments for more than two hours as this can lead to bacterial growth.
There are options to cook food. A fireplace is handy, but do not use charcoal in a fireplace as it can emit carbon mon-oxide. Use a camp stove, charcoal grill or gas grill in an outdoor space with plenty of ventilation.
Stock up on foods that do not require any cooking or refrigeration. Examples include peanut butter, canned meats, whole grain chips or crackers, fresh fruit, canned fruit, dried fruit, and many others. Don’t forget your pets! They also need nourishment in an emergency.
Handwashing is still important! Use bottled water and soap if running water is not available. Use disposable utensils and plates for easy clean up. Heat water on the outdoor grill to wash other items.
Learn more from the resources on the K-State Extension Food Safety website.
