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.
DON’T OPEN THE DOOR!
- 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.
here are some general freezer storage tips to follow:
- 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.
thawing:
- For best results thaw in refrigerator.
- For quick thawing, use one of the following methods.
Do not thaw food on your countertop.
cold water method:
- 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.
microwave:
Follow microwave manufacturer’s directions. Cook food immediately after thawing in the microwave.
microwave:
For further information on food safety, visit
Food Safety Publications.
