Food Safety During Power Outages
Know what to keep and what to toss to protect your family from foodborne illness during extended power outages.
Lost Food Due to an Outage?
You may be eligible to file a claim with your utility company for food spoilage caused by power outages.
How Long Does Food Stay Safe?
The clock starts ticking the moment your power goes out. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain safe temperatures.
Refrigerator
4
hours maximum
Keep door closed. Full fridge stays cold longer than empty one.
Freezer
24-48
hours if full (24 if half-full)
Food with ice crystals can be safely refrozen.
The Danger Zone
Bacteria multiply rapidly when food is between 40°F and 140°F. Perishable food left in this temperature range for more than 2 hours should be discarded.
40°F
Refrigerator Max
→
DANGER
Bacteria Growth Zone
→
140°F
Safe Hot Holding
Food Safety Guide by Category
Meat & Seafood
High risk for bacteria
- Raw meat/poultry Discard
- Cooked meat/poultry Discard
- Lunch meats/hot dogs Discard
- Fish/shellfish Discard
- Thawing meat Discard
Dairy & Eggs
Temperature sensitive
- Milk/cream Discard
- Soft cheeses Discard
- Hard cheeses Safe
- Eggs (shell) Discard
- Butter/margarine Safe
Fruits & Vegetables
Varies by preparation
- Fresh whole produce Safe
- Cut/prepared fruit Discard
- Cooked vegetables Discard
- Opened juice Discard
- Unopened juice Safe
Other Foods
Mixed safety levels
- Mayonnaise-based salads Discard
- Leftovers/casseroles Discard
- Condiments (opened) Check
- Bread/baked goods Safe
- Peanut butter Safe
The 5 Golden Rules of Food Safety
1
Keep Doors Closed
Every time you open the door, cold air escapes. Plan what you need before opening.
2
Use a Thermometer
If food is above 40°F for over 2 hours, it's unsafe. Don't rely on smell or appearance.
3
Group Frozen Items
Move frozen items together—they'll help keep each other cold longer.
4
Use Ice & Coolers
Transfer perishables to a cooler with ice if outage exceeds 4 hours.
5
Never Taste Test
You cannot taste, smell, or see the bacteria that cause food poisoning.
✓
When in Doubt, Throw It Out
The cost of discarding food is far less than the cost of foodborne illness.
Preparation Tips Before an Outage
Freeze Water Bottles
Fill empty spaces in your freezer with water bottles. They'll keep food cold longer and provide drinking water as they melt.
Know Your Freezer Temp
Keep an appliance thermometer in both your fridge (40°F or below) and freezer (0°F or below) at all times.
Freeze Refrigerated Items
If an outage is forecast, freeze milk, fresh meat, and leftovers that you may not need immediately.
Have Coolers Ready
Keep coolers and frozen gel packs on hand for extended outages. Buy block ice—it lasts longer than cubes.
Stock Shelf-Stable Foods
Maintain a supply of canned goods, crackers, cereal, and other foods that don't require refrigeration.
The Cup of Ice Trick
Freeze a cup of water, place a coin on top. If coin sinks to bottom after outage, food thawed completely—discard it.
File a Claim
Select your utility provider to file a claim for food spoilage: