Food safety is a major concern after a power outage. According to FoodSafety.gov, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage.A full freezer will keep food safe for roughly 48 hours. People should not taste the food after a power outage to determine its safety. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Some refrigerators have built-in thermometers to measure their internal temperature. If your fridge does not, keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator to monitor the temperature. The USDA says this can be critical in the event of a power outage. When the power goes back on, if the refrigerator is still 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the food is safe. Foods held at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours should not be consumed, according to the USDA. For tips on when to throw out certain refrigerated and frozen foods, click here.
Food safety is a major concern after a power outage.
Advertisement
According to FoodSafety.gov, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage.
A full freezer will keep food safe for roughly 48 hours.
People should not taste the food after a power outage to determine its safety.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Some refrigerators have built-in thermometers to measure their internal temperature. If your fridge does not, keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator to monitor the temperature.
The USDA says this can be critical in the event of a power outage. When the power goes back on, if the refrigerator is still 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the food is safe.
Foods held at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours should not be consumed, according to the USDA.
For tips on when to throw out certain refrigerated and frozen foods, click here.
