Public Advisory: Food Safety Tips Provided for Prolonged Power Disruption

The Department of Health and Community Services and Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador wish to advise residents who may be experiencing prolonged power interruptions that certain actions should be taken to ensure food safety.

Food Safety Advice

• Do not open the refrigerator or freezer door unless absolutely necessary in order to maintain the cold temperature.
• A full freezer will keep food frozen for about 48 hours. A freezer that is half full will keep food frozen for about 24 hours.
• If available, add ice to the refrigerator to keep the food at a safe temperature if the power will be out for long period of time.
• Carefully inspect all food items and do not eat any food you think may not be safe. Spoiled food may not look contaminated. The general advice from food safety experts remains ‘when in doubt, throw it out.’
• Any food thawed at room temperature for two or more hours should be discarded, as well as any food that has an obvious unusual colour or odour. However, it is important to keep in mind that food contaminated with bacteria does not necessarily smell bad or appear spoiled.
• Keep cold food cold. Use dry ice or an ice chest.
• If food is cold to touch, it is probably safe to keep, use or refreeze.
• Discard meat, seafood, dairy products and cooked food that are not cold to the touch.
• A clean source of water can be used to mix skim milk powder or dilute tinned milk and use on cereal or to mix with instant puddings.
• If there is a way to heat or cook foods, then canned vegetables, canned stews, soups and pastas can be used. Also, warm drinks such as hot chocolate made with milk can be made.

Safe Temperatures Cold temperatures stop the growth of bacteria to reduce risk of it causing illness. Normal refrigeration temperature is 4°C (40°F), or below, and normal freezer temperature is -18°C (0°F), or below.

For more information on general food safety, please visit: www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/envhealth/foodsafetyinfo.html

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2012 09 12                            12:55 p.m.