Know which Foods to Pitch after a Power Outage

From Tammy Roberts, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist


There is speculation by many that there may be more severe weather than usual this spring. Severe spring weather can mean loss of electricity. If the power is out for more than two hours it is important to know how to assure the foods in your refrigerator and freezer are safe.

Once the electricity goes off, the average full freezer will hold temperatures for 48 hours. A half-full freezer will hold a freezing temperature for 24 hours. “You can extend this time by filling the freezer with newspaper or blankets as soon as the electricity goes off” said Tammy Roberts from University of Missouri Extension. She also said that is important to only open the freezer door when absolutely necessary.



Once the electricity comes back on, check the food. Foods that still have ice crystals are OK to re-freeze. It is also OK to re-freeze if the thermometer in the freezer reads 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Once food from the freezer has been above 40 degrees for more than two hours, it should be discarded.

Unfortunately, the refrigerator can only maintain a safe temperature for around four hours. Once refrigerated food has been above 40 degrees for more than two hours, it should be discarded.

There are some foods that we normally refrigerate that last longer at temperatures above 40 degrees. These include hard cheeses, processed cheeses, peanut butter, jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, ketchup, olives, pickles, barbecue sauce, fruits and fresh vegetables. Believe it or not, you can keep commercially prepared mayonnaise and tarter sauce longer than two hours. These two products should be discarded once they have been above 50 degrees longer than eight hours.

The populations most susceptible to foodborne illness are children and senior citizens. An important thing to keep in mind is that you cannot smell or taste harmful bacteria. If you are not sure how long a food was above 40 degrees, be safe and throw it out. Anyone who has ever suffered from a foodborne illness will tell you that it is not worth it to save the food.

Food is expensive! Knowing how to keep your food safe during a power outage can help conserve your food dollar as well as protect the health of your family.