Power Failure & Food Safety

Winter storms create potential for power failures especially in rural areas. If power goes out an immediate concern should be the safety of refrigerated or frozen foods.

Foods are considered either hazardous or non-hazardous. Hazardous foods are capable supporting the growth of micro organisms. These foods must be refrigerated or frozen. They include foods such as poultry, beef, pork, fish, cream, eggs, milk, soft cheeses and mayonnaise.

Non-hazardous foods are those that don’t need to be kept cold. They include most vegetables, fruits, breads, pastas, flour, canned foods, and hard cheeses. These foods can be eaten as long as they were not contaminated with sewage, water or drippings from raw meat.

If the power goes out or your fridge or freezer breaks down you need to check the food to make sure it is safe to eat. Frozen food or refrigerated hazardous foods that have warmed to temperatures higher than 4 degrees Celsius for longer than 4 hours must be thrown out.  Bacteria may produce poisons in food that has been warm for too long. Cooking will not destroy these types of poisons.

You can safely eat or refreeze frozen foods that are soft to the touch but have ice or ice crystals in the food product.  Keeping the freezer or fridge doors closed will extend the time food remains at a safe temperature. The exact time depends on the age/type/size of the unit, original temperature, the temperature of the surrounding room, how full the unit is and with what type of food. This makes giving exact times impossible. Picnic coolers offer no better insulation than a fridge or freezer, so this will not help if the cooler is in the same environment. If the outside temperature is appropriate, it will act as a fridge or freezer. This increases the risk of cross-contamination, or attracting pests.

For your safety and the safety of your family - WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!

For more information contact the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456, or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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