Prepare.org: Food Safety in a Power Outage: Guidelines


Frozen Foods

Type of Food Contains Ice Crystals, Not Above 40ºF Thawed, Held Above 40ºF for Over Two Hours

Beef, Veal, Lamb, Pork, Poultry, Ground Meat and Poultry

Refreeze

Discard

Casseroles with Meat, Pasta, Rice, Egg or Cheese Base, Stews, Soups, Convenience Foods, Pizza

Refreeze

Discard

Fish, Shellfish, Breaded Seafood Products

Refreeze

Discard

Milk

Refreeze

Discard

Eggs (out of shell), Egg Products

Refreeze

Discard

Ice cream, Frozen Yogurt

Discard

Discard

Cheese (Soft and Semi-Soft), Cream Cheese, Ricotta

Refreeze

Discard

Hard Cheese (Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan)

Refreeze

Refreeze

Fruit Juices

Refreeze

Refreeze. Discard if mold, yeasty smell or sliminess develops.

Home or Commercially Packaged Fruit

Refreeze

Refreeze. Discard if mold, yeasty smell or sliminess develops.

Vegetable Juices

Refreeze

Discard if above 50°F for over eight hours.

Home or Commercially Packaged or Blanched Vegetables

Refreeze

Discard if above 50°F for over eight hours.

Fruit Juices

Refreeze

Refreeze

Flour, Cornmeal, Nuts

Refreeze

Refreeze

Pie Crusts, Breads, Rolls, Muffins, Cakes (no Custard Fillings)

Refreeze

Discard if above 50°F for over eight hours.

Cakes, Pies, Pastries with Custard or Cheese Filling, Cheesecake

Refreeze

Discard

Commercial and Homemade Bread Dough

Refreeze

Refreeze



Refrigerator Foods

Type of Food Contains Ice Crystals, Not Above 40ºF Thawed, Held Above 40ºF for Over Two Hours

Milk, Cream, Sour Cream, Buttermilk, Evaporated Milk, Yogurt

Keep

Discard

Butter, Margarine

Keep

Keep

Baby Formula (opened)

Keep

Discard

Eggs, Egg Dishes, Custards, Puddings

Keep

Discard

Hard and Processed Cheeses

Keep

Keep

Soft Cheeses, Cottage Cheese

Keep

Discard

Fruit Juices (opened), Canned Fruits (opened), Fresh Fruits

Keep

Keep

Vegetables (cooked), Vegetable Juice (opened)

Keep

Discard after six hours.

Baked Potatoes

Keep

Discard

Fresh Mushrooms, Herbs, Spices

Keep

Keep

Garlic (chopped in oil or buffer)

Keep

Discard

Fresh or Leftover Meat, Poultry, Fish, Seafood

Keep

Discard

Lunchmeats, Hot Dogs, Bacon, Sausage, Dried Beef

Keep

Discard

Canned Meats (not labeled Keep Refrigerated but refrigerated after opening)

Keep

Discard

Canned Hams (labeled Keep Refrigerated)

Keep

Discard

Casseroles, Soups, Stews, Pizza with Meat

Keep

Discard

Meat, Tuna, Shrimp, Chicken or Egg Salad

Keep

Discard

Cooked Pasta, Pasta Salads with Mayonnaise or Vinegar Base

Keep

Discard

Gravy, Stuffing

Keep

Discard

Cream or Cheese Filled Pastries and Pies

Keep

Discard

Fruit Pies

Keep

Keep

Breads, Rolls, Cakes, Muffins, Quick Breads

Keep

Keep

Refrigerator Biscuits, Rolls, Cookie Dough

Keep

Discard

Mayonnaise, Tartar Sauce, Horseradish

Keep

Discard

Open Salad Dressing, Jelly, Relish, Taco Sauce, Barbeque Sauce, Mustard, Catsup, Olives

Keep

Keep



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