A closed refrigerator can keep food cold for up to 24 hours, and a closed freezer can keep food frozen for up to 48 hours. So keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep food from spoiling for as long as possible. Use dry ice to cool foods in your refrigerator and freezer during long outages – just remember to use gloves when handling, and never touch the dry ice directly.
Here’s what food should be discarded after a power outage.
Frozen Foods
Meats And Mixed Dishes: |
Still Contains Ice Crystals
Not Above 40° |
Thawed,
Held Above 40°
For Over 2 Hours |
| Beef, Veal, Lamb, Pork, Poultry, Ground Meat |
Refreeze |
Discard |
| Casseroles With Meat, Pasta, Rice, Egg Or Cheese Base, Stews, Soups, Convenience Foods, Pizza |
Refreeze |
Discard |
| Fish, Shellfish, Breaded Seafood Products |
Refreeze, May Be Some Texture & Flavor Loss |
Discard |
| Dairy: |
|
|
| Milk |
Refreeze, May Lose Some Quality |
Discard |
| Eggs (Out Of Shell), Egg Products |
Refreeze |
Discard |
| Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt |
Discard |
Discard |
| Cheese (Soft And Semi-Soft), Cream Cheese, Ricotta |
Refreeze, May Lose Some Texture |
Discard |
| Hard Cheese (Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan) |
Refreeze |
Refreeze |
| Fruits And Vegetables: |
|
|
| Fruit Juices |
Refreeze |
Refreeze, Discard If Mold, Yeasty Smell Or Sliminess Developes |
| Home Or Commercially Packaged Fruit |
Refreeze, Will Change Texture & Flavor |
Refreeze, Discard If Mold, Yeasty Smell Or Sliminess Developes |
| Vegetable Juices |
Refreeze |
Discard If Above 50°F For Over 8 Hours |
| Home Or Commercially Packaged Or Blanched Vegetables |
Refreeze, Will Change Texture & Flavor |
Discard If Above 50°F For Over 8 Hours |
Baked Goods
Baking Ingredients: |
|
|
| Flour, Cornmeal, Nuts |
Refreeze |
Refeeze |
| Pie Crusts, Breads, Rolls, Muffins, Cakes (No Custard Fillings) |
Refreeze |
Refreeze |
| Cakes, Pies, Pastries With Custard Or Cheese Filling, Cheesecake |
Refreeze |
Discard |
| Commercial And Homemade Bread Dough |
Refreeze, May Lose Some Quality |
Refreeze, Considerable Quality Loss |
Refrigerator Foods
Dairy/Eggs/Cheese: |
Food Still Cold, Held At 40°F
Or Above
Under 2 Hours |
Held Above 40°F
For Over 2 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 Cheese, Cottage Cheese |
Keep |
Discard |
| Fruits & Vegetables: |
|
|
| Fruit Juices, Opened; Canned Fruits, Opened; Fresh Fruits |
Keep |
Keep |
| Vegetables, Cooked; Vegetable Juice Opened |
Keep |
Discard After 6 Hours |
| Baked Potatoes |
Keep |
Discard |
| Fresh Mushrooms, Herbs, Spices |
Keep |
Keep |
| Garlic, Chopped In Oil Or Butter |
Keep |
Discard |
| Meat, Poultry, Seafood: |
|
|
| Fresh Or Leftover Meat, Poultry, Fish, Or 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 |
| Mixed Dishes, Side Dishes: |
|
|
| Casseroles, Soups, Stews, Pizza With Meat |
Keep |
Discard |
| Meat, Tuna, Shrimp, Chicken, Egg Salad |
Keep |
Discard |
| Cooked Pasta, Pasta Salads With Mayonnaise Or Vinegar Base |
Keep |
Discard |
| Gravy, Stuffing |
Keep |
Discard |
| Pies, Breads: |
|
|
| 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 |
| Sauces, Spreads, Jams: |
|
|
| Mayonnaise, Tartar Sauce, Horseradish |
Keep |
Discard If Above 50°F For Over 8 Hours |
| Opened Salad Dressing, Jelly, Relish, Taco And Barbeque Sauce, Mustard, Catsup, Olives |
Keep |
Keep |
