Posted on Tue, Jul. 24, 2012

If your power was out just a few hours and you didn’t open the refrigerator or freezer, chances are the food is OK. A refrigerator should keep food cold for four hours and a half-full freezer 24 hours (48 hours if the freezer is full) if you don’t open the doors, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Here’s a clip-and-save checklist gleaned from www.fsis.usda.gov to have handy next time the power goes out.

• Try not to open the refrigerator and freezer doors (doing so lets the cold air escape).

• If you know the power will be out for an extended period, get ice or dry ice to keep foods cold.

• Use a refrigerator-freezer thermometer to check the temperature. In either the refrigerator or freezer, if the temperature is 40 degrees or below, the food is safe.

• Check the packages. If food still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees or below when checked with a food thermometer, you can refreeze it.

• Group foods together in the freezer to help them stay cold longer.

• Keep food on ice in coolers.

•  Never taste food to determine whether it’s safe.

FOODS TO TOSS

Bacteria growth can take place in these foods that have been above 40 degrees for two hours or more:

• Meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, yogurt, eggs, leftovers, hot dogs, bacon, lunch meats, pizza, shredded cheeses, casseroles, pasta and pasta sauces.

• Cream-based salad dressings, sauces and soups.

• Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce and horseradish.

• Pasta salads with creamy or mayonnaise-based dressings.

• Sour cream-based dips.

• Fruits and vegetables that have become slimy or spoiled.

Foods to keep

• Condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, jelly, jams, soy sauce and bottled marinade. Typically these have high salt and sugar content that can act as a preservative.

• Fresh bread and rolls.

• Fruits and vegetables that show no signs of decay.

The best rule to follow: “When in doubt, throw it out.”