Food Safety During An Emergency

Food Safety During an Emergency. At least 2 million homes were without electricity at some point, and 1/2 million were still without power three days after the 2014 winter storm, PAX. PREPARE FOR A POSSIBLE WEATHER EMERGENCY: Be • Make sure the freezer is at 0°F or below and the refrigerator is 40°F or sure below. to freeze .• Freeze refrigerated items such as dairy products like milk, containers of and uncooked meat and poultry that you may not need water to immediately. help keep food cold in • Know where bagged ice, dry ice and block ice is sold. the freezer, refrigerator, • Store food on shelves that are out of the way of or coolers potentially contaminated water in case of after the Keep an flooding. appliance thermometer in power is out for any • Position food together in the 30 20 the fridge and freezer. extended freezer-this will help the food period of time. stay cold longer. DURING AND AFTER AN EMERGENCY: • The refrigerator and freezer doors should Have remained closed as much as possible, to coolers on hand maintain cooler temperature. to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours. • The refrigerator will keep food properly cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A Purchase ice bags or make ice cubes and store in the full freezer will hold the temperature for freezer for use in the approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in half full and the door remains closed). • Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice coolers. crystals or is at 40 °F or below. • Obtain block ice or dry ice to keep your refrigerator and freezer 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. • Throw away refrigerated perishable food such as meat, If a poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, thermometer has not been kept in and deli items after 4 hours without power. the freezer, then check each package of food to • When in Doubt, Throw it Out! determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, the food is safe. Do NOT TASTE FOOD TO DETERMINE IF IT IS SAFE TO EAT! Sources: www.fsis.usda.gov www.interplas.com/ice-bags P nternational Plastics The Flexible Packaging Experts -20