June 9, 2008

LANSING - While Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) food inspectors are on the streets ensuring the safety of grocery and convenience store foods, residents can follow some simple steps to keep food safe at home when the power goes out.

“As the threat of severe storms continue, it’s critical that residents follow basic food safety rules when there is a power outage in their area,” said Don Koivisto, MDA Director. “Following food safety guidelines can reduce the risk of contracting a foodborne illness during a power outage. Just keep in mind, ‘When in doubt, throw
it out!’”

When severe weather hits, follow these important food and water safety tips:

• If flooding has occurred, discard any foods that have come into contact with flood waters.
• Drink only approved or chlorinated water if your area has sustained damage from tornadoes or other storms.
• Discard any items containing particles of glass, slivers of debris, or cans with broken seams.
• If a power outage has occurred, keep the refrigerator/freezer door closed as much as possible to maintain adequate temperature.
• Always discard anything that turns moldy, has unusual color, or odor. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Perishable refrigerated foods (meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, etc.) should be thrown out if they reach temperatures warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours.
• Frozen foods that thaw and reach temperatures at above 40 degrees Fahrenheit should be discarded.

Refrigerated foods will generally be safe as long as the power is not out for more than a few hours and the doors have remained closed.

A full, free standing freezer will stay at freezing temperatures for about two days; a half full freezer about one day. If a freezer isn’t full, group packages together so they form an “igloo.” If power may be out for several days, use dry ice. Twenty-five pounds of dry ice should maintain freezing temperatures in a 10-cubic foot freezer for about four days.

For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/foodsafety, www.foodsafety.gov, www.fightbac.org, or call the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry at
800-535-4555, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at 888-SAFE-FOOD, or an Michigan State University Extension office.