Tips to Protect Food from Spoiling in a Power Outage

During or after a power outage or disaster, your food may no longer be safe to eat. Take precautions to prevent food spoilage, and know when you should dispose of refrigerated food.

Food that has not been refrigerated can spoil quickly and cause severe health problems, so you should take all steps to keep it safe. Here’s how to extend the shelf life of your refrigerated food:

• Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting before the power goes out.
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If the door is closed, items in a refrigerator will keep for up to four hours. If the door is closed, items in a full freezer will stay frozen for about two days, and in a half-full freezer for about one day.
• For proper food storage, refrigerated or frozen foods should be kept at 40° F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to check temperature. Discard any perishable refrigerated foods that have been above 40° F for more than two hours.
• Discard any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Remember: “When in doubt, throw it out.”
• Food exposed to wildfire can be unsafe from the heat of the fire, smoke fumes, and chemicals used to fight fire.

More Resources

For additional information about food safety during power outages, call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).

FEMA Ready. Food. https://www.ready.gov/food

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Fires and Food Safety. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/emergency-preparedness/fires-and-food-safety/ct_index