Press Release

Click HERE to close this window and return to the Union County Health Department site.

Winter Storm Food Safety

Cold weather and the threat of winter storms are here to stay for the remainder of the winter. If power fails, the Union County Health Department advises that perishable foods should not be kept outside.

According to Marcia Dreiseidel, RS, MS, Food Safety Specialist for the Health Department, it is too risky to keep frozen food outside because it could be exposed to the sun causing it to begin thawing. Refrigerated foods may become too warm and allow bacteria to grow. In addition, the food may become exposed to unsanitary conditions and to animals in the area.

How can you save food during a power outage? Dreiseidel advises that refrigerated food will stay cold for several hours if the door is kept closed. Refrain from checking the temperature, as opening the door only replaces this cold air with warmer air which could promote bacterial growth and spoilage.

Dreiseidel recommends throwing away the following foods if they have been kept at temperatures of 40 degrees F for more than two hours: raw or cooked meat, poultry, seafood; milk, cream, yogurt, soft cheeses; fresh eggs; meat-topped pizza and lunch meat; casseroles, stews or soups; cream-filled pastries; mayonnaise and tarter sauce. Foods that should keep in a closed refrigerator for up to three days are: butter and margarine; fresh fruits and vegetables; dried fruits; hard and processed cheeses; fruit juices.

The same rule of keeping the door closed applies to freezers. A freezer that is part of a refrigerator will keep food frozen up to a day-again only if the door is kept closed. A free standing chest or upright freezer will keep food solidly frozen for two days if it is fully loaded. If only half full, it will keep food frozen for a day or maybe longer if the food is packed together.

If the power failure should last longer than a day, bagged or dry ice can be used. Dreiseidel warns to handle dry ice carefully due to its extremely low temperature. Use tongs or wear heavy gloves and handle it in a well-ventilated area. If the temperature of the food has risen above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the food should be discarded. Frozen food can be refrozen if ice crystals are present, however there may be a loss of quality. Other options include the use of ice chests with ice packs or moving food temporarily to a commercial cold storage facility for long outages.

For more information on food safety, you can contact the Union County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at (9370 642-2053.