Determining whether the food in your fridge is safe after a power outage

INDIANAPOLIS -- The last thing most people think about when the power goes out is how long their food is going to last - but if your power is out for a significant amount of time, it's important to take steps to make sure the food you have is safe so you and your loved ones don't get sick. 

Is the food in your refrigerator safe during a power outage?

According to FoodSafety,gov it should be safe, as long as the power is out for no more than four hours and you keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. 

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The following tips from the FDA will help you to plan when the power goes out. 

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Power Outages: During and After

Here are basic tips for keeping food safe when the power goes out:

1. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.

• The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
• A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

1. Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep an 18 cubic foot, fully stocked freezer cold for two days.

1. If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish, or eggs while they are still at safe temperatures, it is important that each item is thoroughly cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to ensure that any foodborne bacteria that may be present are destroyed. However, if at any point the food was above 40º F for 2 hours or more (or 1 hour if temperatures are above 90 º F) — discard it.

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Determine the safety of your food once the power is restored:

1. If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer reads 40° F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.

1. If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. You can’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40° F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.

1. Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than 4 hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or leftovers) that has been at temperatures above 40° F for 2 hours or more (or 1 hour if temperatures are above 90º F).

Perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked.

Each item should be evaluated separately but you can use the following chart from FoodSafety.gov as a guide on whether your food is safe to consume. 

Related Resources

• Ask Karen: Chat Online With a USDA Food Safety Expert

Online database of common food safety questions; live chat weekdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern Time

• USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854)

Experts answer questions about food safety, weekdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern Time

• Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency [USDA]

General facts on food and water safety, including guidance on when to discard perishable foods

• Food Safety, CDC

Information on food safety and preventing food poisoning

• Personal Hygiene and Handwashing After a Disaster or Emergency

Tips to help protect yourself from illness and disease

• Food and Water Safety and Hand Hygiene Resources

Easy-to-use posters, stickers, flyers, and PSAs with tips and information