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ABCD’s of Keeping Food Safe in an Emergency
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1)Always keep meat, poultry, fish, and eggs refrigerated at or below 40 °F and frozen food at or below 0 °F. This may be difficult when the power is out.
2)Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
3)The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
4)A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
5)Obtain dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time.
6)Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot full freezer for 2 days. Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased.
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Be prepared for an emergency...
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1)By having items on hand that don’t require refrigeration and can be eaten cold or heated on the outdoor grill.
2)Shelf-stable food, boxed or canned milk, water, and canned goods should be part of a planned emergency food supply.
3)Make sure you have ready-to-use baby formula for infants and pet food.
4)Remember to use these items and replace them from time to time.
5)Be sure to keep a hand-held can opener for an emergency.
6)Consider what you can do ahead of time to store your food safely in an emergency.
7)If you live in a location that could be affected by a flood, plan your food storage on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water.
8)Coolers are a great help for keeping food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours—have a couple on hand along with frozen gel packs.
9)When your freezer is not full, keep items close together—this helps the food stay cold longer.
10)Digital, dial, or instant-read food thermometers and appliance thermometers will help you know if the food is at safe temperatures.
11)Keep appliance thermometers in the refrigerator and freezer at all times.
12)When the power is out, an appliance thermometer will always indicate the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer no matter how long the power has been out.
13)The refrigerator temperature should be 40 °F or below; the freezer, 0 °F or lower.
14)If you’re not sure a particular food is cold enough, take its temperature with a food thermometer.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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Q. Flood waters covered our food stored on shelves and in cabinets. What can I keep and what should I throw out?
A. Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water.
1)Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water.
2)Food containers that are not waterproof include those with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped caps.
3)Also, discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home canned foods if they have come in contact with flood water, because they cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
4)Inspect canned foods and discard any food in damaged cans.
**Can damage is shown by swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting, or crushing/denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener.**
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Steps to Salvage All-Metal Cans and Retort Pouches
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1)Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches (for example, flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches) can be saved if you do the following:
a)Remove the labels, if they are the removable kind, since they can harbor dirt
and bacteria.
b)Thoroughly wash the cans or retort pouches with soap and water, using hot
water if it is available.
c)Brush or wipe away any dirt or silt.
d)Rinse the cans or retort pouches with water that is safe for drinking, if
available, since dirt or residual soap will reduce the effectiveness of chlorine
sanitation.
2)Then, sanitize them by immersion in one of the two following ways:
a)Place in water and allow the water to come to a boil and continue boiling for
2 minutes, or:
b)Place in a freshly made solution consisting of 1 tablespoon of
unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water
(or the cleanest, clearest water available) for 15 minutes.
3)Air-dry cans or retort pouches for a minimum of 1 hour before opening or storing.
4)If the labels were removable, then re-label your cans or retort pouches, including the expiration date (if available), with a marker.
5)Food in reconditioned cans or retort pouches should be used as soon as possible thereafter.
6)Any concentrated baby formula in reconditioned, all-metal containers must be diluted with clean, drinking water.
Below is a can that has become bloated:
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Q. How should I clean my pots, pans, dishes, and utensils?
A. Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes, and utensils (including can openers) with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse and then sanitize them by boiling in clean water or immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available).
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Q. How should I clean my countertops?
A. Thoroughly wash countertops with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse and then sanitize them by applying a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available). Allow to air-dry.
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Q. My home was flooded and I am worried about the safety of the drinking water. What should I do?
A. Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available.
If you don't have bottled water, you should boil water to make sure it is safe.
Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present.
If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling.
Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers.
If you can't boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach.
Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water.
If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection.
Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it.
Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.
If you have a well that had been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede.
If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.
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Q. We had a fire in our home and I am worried about what food I can keep and what to throw away.
A. Discard food that has been near a fire. Food exposed to fire can be damaged by the heat of the fire, smoke fumes, and chemicals used to fight the fire.
Food in cans or jars may appear to be okay, but the heat from a fire can activate food spoilage bacteria.
If the heat is extreme, the cans or jars themselves can split or rupture, rendering the food unsafe.
One of the most dangerous elements of a fire is sometimes not the fire itself, but toxic fumes released from burning materials.
Discard any raw food or food in permeable packaging—cardboard, plastic wrap, screw-topped jars, bottles, etc.—stored outside the refrigerator.
Food stored in refrigerators or freezers can also become contaminated by fumes. The refrigerator seal isn't airtight and fumes can get inside.
Chemicals used to fight the fire contain toxic materials and can contaminate food and cookware.
Food that is exposed to chemicals should be thrown away—the chemicals cannot be washed off the food.
This includes food stored at room temperature, such as fruits and vegetables, as well as food stored in permeable containers like cardboard and screw-topped jars and bottles.
Cookware exposed to fire-fighting chemicals can be decontaminated by washing in soap and hot water.
Then submerge for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water.
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Q. A snowstorm knocked down the power lines, can I put the food from the refrigerator and freezer out in the snow?
A. No, frozen food can thaw if it is exposed to the sun's rays even when the temperature is very cold.
Refrigerated food may become too warm and food borne bacteria could grow.
The outside temperature could vary hour by hour and the temperature outside will not protect refrigerated and frozen food.
Additionally, perishable items could be exposed to unsanitary conditions or to animals.
Animals may harbor bacteria or disease; never consume food that has come in contact with an animal.
Rather than putting the food outside, consider taking advantage of the cold temperatures by making ice.
Fill buckets, empty milk cartons or cans with water and leave them outside to freeze.
Then put the homemade ice in your refrigerator, freezer, or coolers.
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Q. Some of my food in the freezer started to thaw or had thawed when the power came back on. Is the food safe? How long will the food in the refrigerator be safe with the power off?
A. Never taste food to determine its safety! You will have to evaluate each item separately.
If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, read the temperature when the power comes back on.
If the appliance thermometer stored in the freezer reads 40 °F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine the safety.
Remember you can’t rely on appearance or odor.
If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below, it is safe to refreeze.
Refrigerated food should be safe as long as power is out no more than 4 hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible.
Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 40 °F for 2 hours.
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Q. May I refreeze the food in the freezer if it thawed or partially thawed?
A. Yes, the food may be safely refrozen if the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40 °F or below.
You will have to evaluate each item separately.
Be sure to discard any items in either the freezer or the refrigerator that have come into contact with raw meat juices.
Partial thawing and refreezing may reduce the quality of some food, but the food will remain safe to eat.
See the charts below for specific recommendations.
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IN CONCLUSION
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Be Prepared:
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1)Have a refrigerator thermometer.
2)Know where you can get dry ice.
3)Keep on hand a few days worth of ready-to-eat foods that do not require cooking or cooling, which depend on electricity.
4)Refrigerators should be kept at 40° F or below for proper food storage.
5)Know where your local Center for Disease Control (CDC) facility is located.
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CDC LOCATIONS
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Currently the CDC has 10 major facility locations listed below:
Atlanta, Georgia
Anchorage, Alaska
Cincinnati, Ohio
Fort Collins, Colorado
Hyattsville, Maryland
Morgantown, West Virginia
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Spokane, Washington
Washington, D.C.
The CDC also has many minor facilities that may carry anti-toxins for distribution to hospitals should the need arise. Because of such, you should know the general location of the nearest facility in the event of a disaster to procure anti-toxins should a loved one suffer the effects of botulism.
*NOTE* Military hospitals carry anti-toxins for neurotoxins such as botulism as well should a military base be closer then a CDC facility. Usually during a disaster the military will set up local field hospitals to help treat civilian casualties near the epicenter of the disaster. On a large scale disaster field hospitals will spring up closer to the military bases and the outskirts of the disaster zone from neighboring states with rescue crews and helicopters making incursions into the disaster zone looking for survivors.
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When the Power Goes Out:
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1)Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
2)The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
3)Freezers will keep food frozen for 24-48 hours as long as the freezer door is kept shut and depending on the current filled capacity.
4)When in doubt about the edibility of a refrigerated or canned food item, throw it out.
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Refrigerator Foods
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When to Save and When to Throw It Out
*****NOTE: DISCARD ITEMS FOLLOWED BY (S) ARE FINE IF COOKED IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION WITHOUT PRESENTING A SERIOUS HEALTH RISK*****
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FOOD Held above 40 °F for over 2 hours
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MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD
Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; soy meat substitutes
Discard
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Thawing meat or poultry
Discard
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Meat, tuna, shrimp,chicken, or egg salad
Discard
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Gravy, stuffing, broth
Discard(S)
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Lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef
Discard
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Pizza – with any topping
Discard(S)
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Canned hams labeled "Keep Refrigerated"
Discard
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Canned meats and fish, opened
Discard
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CHEESE
Soft Cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam,
Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, queso fresco
Discard(S)
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Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, Romano
Safe
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Processed Cheeses
Safe
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Shredded Cheeses
Discard
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Low-fat Cheeses
Discard
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Grated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar)
Safe
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DAIRY
Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, soy milk
Discard
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Butter, margarine
Safe
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Baby formula, liquid, opened
Discard
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EGGS
Fresh eggs, hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg products
Discard
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Custards and puddings
Discard
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CASSEROLES, SOUPS, STEWS
Discard(S for vegetables and pastas only)
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FRUITS
Fresh fruits, cut
Safe
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Fruit juices, opened
Safe
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Canned fruits, opened
Safe
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Fresh fruits, coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits, dates
Safe
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SAUCES, SPREADS, JAMS
Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish
Discard if above 50°F for over 8 hrs.
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Peanut butter
Safe
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Jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, pickles
Safe
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Worcestershire, soy, barbecue, Hoisin sauces
Safe
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Fish sauces (oyster sauce)
Discard
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Opened vinegar-based dressings
Safe
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Opened creamy-based dressings (IE ranch, thousand island ect...)
Discard
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Spaghetti sauce, opened jar
Discard(S if not with meat and no visible mold has formed)
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BREAD, CAKES, COOKIES,PASTA, GRAINS
Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillas
Safe
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Refrigerator biscuits,rolls, cookie dough
Discard(S)
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Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes
Discard(S)
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Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette
Discard
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Fresh pasta
Discard(S)
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Cheesecake
Discard
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Breakfast foods –waffles, pancakes, bagels
Safe
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PIES, PASTRY Pastries, cream filled
Discard
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Pies – custard,cheese filled, or chiffon; quiche
Discard
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Pies, fruit
Safe
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VEGETABLES
Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spices
Safe
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Greens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packaged
Discard(S)
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Vegetables, raw
Safe
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Vegetables, cooked; tofu
Discard
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Vegetable juice, opened
Discard(S if no visable mold is present)
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Baked potatoes
Discard(S)
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Commercial garlic in oil
Discard(S)
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Potato Salad
Discard
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Frozen Food
When to Save and When To Throw It Out
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FOOD
Still contains ice crystals and feels as cold as if refrigerated
versus
Thawed. Held above 40 °F for over 2 hours.
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MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD
Beef, veal, lamb, pork, and ground meats
Refreeze
vs
Discard
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Poultry and ground poultry
Refreeze
vs
Discard
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Variety meats (liver, kidney, heart, chitterlings)
Refreeze
vs
Discard
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Casseroles, stews, soups
Refreeze
vs
Discard
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Fish, shellfish, breaded
Refreeze. However there will be some texture and flavor loss.
vs
Discard seafood products
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DAIRY Milk
Refreeze. May lose some texture.
vs
Discard
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Eggs (out of shell) and egg products
Refreeze
vs
Discard
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Ice cream, frozen yogurt
Discard
vs
Discard
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Cheese (soft and semi-soft)
Refreeze. May lose some texture
vs
Discard(S)
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Hard cheeses
Refreeze
vs
Refreeze
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Shredded cheeses
Refreeze
vs
Discard
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Casseroles containing milk, cream, eggs, soft cheeses
Refreeze
vs
Discard
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Cheesecake
Refreeze
vs
Discard
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FRUITS Juices
Refreeze
vs
Refreeze. Discard if mold, yeasty smell, or sliminess develops.
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Home or commercially packaged
Refreeze. Will change texture and flavor.
vs
Refreeze. Discard if mold, yeasty smell or slimines develops.
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VEGETABLES Juices
Refreeze
vs
Discard(S) After held above 40°F for 6 hours.
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Home or commercially packaged or blanched
Refreeze. May suffer texture and flavor loss.
vs
Discard(S) After held above 40°F for 6 hours.
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BREADS, PASTRIES
Breads, rolls, muffins, cakes (without custard fillings)
Refreeze
vs
Refreeze
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Cakes, pies, pastries with custard or cheese filling
Refreeze
vs
Discard
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Pie crusts, commercial and homemade bread dough
Refreeze. Some quality loss may occur.
vs
Refreeze. Quality loss is considerable.
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OTHER
Casseroles – pasta, rice based
Refreeze
vs
Discard(S)
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Flour, cornmeal, nuts
Refreeze
vs
Refreeze
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Breakfast items –waffles, pancakes, bagels
Refreeze
vs
Refreeze
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Frozen meal, entree, specialty items (pizza, sausage and biscuit,meat pie,convenience foods)
Refreeze
vs
Discard(S for cheese or vegatable pizzas)
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