Important Food Safety Guidelines Following Last Night's Power Outages

Important Food Safety Guidelines
Following Last Night's Storm Outages

With many Ottawa County residents still without power and more storms possible this weekend, food safety is now a critical concern. Please follow these guidelines to protect yourself and your family from foodborne illness:

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain cold temperatures. A refrigerator will keep food safe for about 4 hours, a full freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).
  
  
• IMPORTANT: THROW OUT all foods that can spoil quickly after 4 hours without power. This includes meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs, leftovers, and other items shown in the attached chart.
  Use this food chart to check which specific items are safe to keep and which should be thrown away.
  Click here for a printable version of the chart.
  
  
• Never taste food to determine safety. When in doubt, throw it out! 
  
  
• For frozen foods: Start using these items as soon as possible. Items that still contain ice crystals or have remained at 41°F or below can be safely refrozen or cooked. Prioritize consuming thawing foods before they reach unsafe temperatures.
  
  
• Use appliance thermometers to check refrigerator temperatures. Safe levels are 40°F or below for refrigerators and 0°F or below for freezers.
  
  
• Prepare for future outages by freezing containers of water or gel packs, keeping coolers ready, and knowing where to purchase dry or block ice.
  
  

For detailed information on food safety during temporary power outages, visit: www.foodsafety.gov/blog/avoid-foodborne-illness-during-temporary-power-outages