How Long After A Power Outage Is Refrigerated Food Good
After four hours you have to start throwing foods away.
How long after a power outage is refrigerated food good. The fda recommends checking the temperature in the fridge and throwing out any. Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than 4 hours and the door was kept shut. Raw or leftover cooked meat poultry fish or seafood and soy meat substitutes must be discarded after two hours above 40 degrees f or after four hours in a refrigerator that is not cooling. If the power was out for no more than 4 hours refrigerated food should be safe as long as the doors were kept closed.
Check temperatures of food kept in coolers or your refrigerator with an. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat poultry fish eggs and leftovers after 4 hours without power. If foods are held above 40 degrees for more than two hours consult the. Food in the refrigerator should be safe if the outage lasts for less than four hours and the door was kept closed.
After the power goes out it s important to keep the refrigerator. When your power is on the freezer temperature should be at or below 0 f and the refrigerator should be at or below 40 f. It s worth investing in a refrigerator thermometer so you know exactly what the temperature inside is at all times. Food safety experts explain why a power outage can breed germs and how to tell if the food in your fridge is safe to eat after the power comes back.
When the power comes back on check the temperature in the refrigerator or of. A refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours during an outage when the door is kept closed as much as possible. When to save it and when to throw it out. It should be set to 35 to 38 f.
Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator meat fish cut fruits and vegetables eggs milk and leftovers after 4 hours without power or a cold source like dry ice throw out any food with an unusual odor color or texture. Thawing meat or poultry same as above. Throw away any perishable food that has been at temperatures above 40 degrees. Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat when in doubt throw it out.
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. You should be prepared for a power outage including setting the refrigerator to the proper temperature and being able to monitor it even when there s no power.