Freezer Storage

The power has gone out and you have a freezer full of food. Don’t panic! Here are some rules of thumb to follow if you have experienced a power outage.

• Safely thawed food can be cooked immediately and refrozen safely as a cooked item.
• Food will stay frozen about 2 days if the freezer is full and about 1 day if half full.
• Do not refreeze foods that have completely thawed out.
• It can be refrozen safely as a cooked item.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

• Always keep your freezer at 0 degrees or below.
• Invest in a freezer thermometer; this will allow you to adjust settings as needed to maintain the coldest setting.
• Avoid overcrowding in the freezer. Foods need proper circulation to maintain their freshness.
• Date all foods when putting in the freezer.
• Use a special marking pen for labeling frozen foods.
• After labeling all foods use the last in/last out method to use your foods.

• For best results thaw in refrigerator.
• For quick thawing, use one of the following methods.
  Do not thaw food on your countertop.

• Contaminated food can smell, look and taste normal. Never taste any food you suspect may be contaminated. Even one bite can make you sick.
• Safe food handling is especially important for the very young, the very old and those with weakened immune systems, as these groups are most vulnerable to food borne illnesses.

Follow microwave manufacturer’s directions. Cook food immediately after thawing in the microwave.