Lost power how long is food good

If your freezer has an ice maker, empty the ice cubes into gallon-sized storage bags each time the tray is full. You can also consider buying dry ice in the event of a power outage. Fifty pounds of dry ice will keep a closed freezer or a cooler cold for between 18 and 24 hours. Just be sure to handle it safely and avoid touching it with your bare hands.

The USDA also recommends keeping bottles of water in your freezer. Not only will this help keep frozen food cold longer, but also you will also have a supply of fresh drinking water in case your water supply becomes contaminated. If water bottles are in short supply, which often happens when a storm is approaching, freeze fresh water in clean, quart-sized storage bags or food-safe plastic containers. If there is a possibility of a power outage, the FDA also suggests transferring some of your refrigerated food to your freezer to keep it at a safe temperature for a longer period of time.

Items such as milk, meats, and leftovers that you don't need immediately can be safely transferred to the freezer during a power outage.

If it looks as though your power will be out for more than two to four hours, the American National Red Cross recommends packing refrigerated food into a cooler. You'll want the temperature to stay at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure the cooler is packed with ice. If the power is going to be out for more than a day, prepare a second cooler for your freezer items.

Any food that has been exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours, or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for more than one hour, should be thrown away. If your power goes out during a winter storm, you may be tempted to keep some of your food outside in the ice or snow, but it isn't a good idea.

According to the USDA , the temperatures outside can fluctuate hour to hour depending on how much sunlight there is, which will cause the food to spoil. It can also attract wild animals looking for a meal. Try to keep your pantry stocked with nonperishable foods, and make sure you have a manual can opener since an electric one without batteries will not work if the power goes out. Things like cans of beans and vegetables can last on the shelf for two to five years according to the USDA's FoodKeeper app.

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