Food Safety During Power Outage (2025)

Meat, poultry, seafoodRaw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood;
soy meat substitutesDiscardThawing meat or poultryDiscardSalads: Meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, or egg saladDiscardGravy, stuffing, brothDiscardLunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beefDiscardPizza with any toppingDiscardCanned hams labeled "Keep Refrigerated"DiscardCanned meats and fish, openedDiscardCasseroles, soups, stewsDiscardCheeseSoft cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, queso frescoDiscardHard cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, RomanoKeepProcessed cheesesKeepShredded cheesesDiscardLow-fat cheesesDiscardGrated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar)KeepDairyMilk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, soy milkDiscardButter, margarineKeepBaby formula, openedDiscardEggsFresh shell eggs, eggs hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg productsDiscardCustards and puddings, quicheDiscardFruitsFresh fruits, cutDiscardFresh fruits, uncutKeepFruit juices, openedKeepCanned fruits, openedKeepDried fruits, raisins, candied fruits, datesKeepSliced or shredded coconutDiscardSauces, Spreads, JamsOpened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradishDiscard
(if above 50°F (10°C) for more than 8 hrs)Peanut butterKeepJelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, picklesKeepWorcestershire, soy, barbecue, hoisin saucesKeepFish sauces, oyster sauceDiscardOpened vinegar-based dressingsKeepOpened creamy-based dressingsDiscardSpaghetti sauce, openedDiscardBread, cakes, cookies, pasta, grainsBread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillasKeepRefrigerator biscuits, rolls, cookie doughDiscardCooked pasta, rice, potatoesDiscardPasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigretteDiscardFresh pastaDiscardCheesecakeDiscardBreakfast foods: waffles, pancakes, bagelsKeepPies and pastryCream filled pastriesDiscardPies: Any with filling containing eggs or milk, e.g., custard, cheese-filled, or chiffon; quiche.DiscardFruit piesKeepVegetablesFresh vegetables, cutDiscardFresh vegetables, uncutKeepFresh mushrooms, herbs, spicesKeepGreens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packagedDiscardVegetables, cookedDiscardTofu, cookedDiscardVegetable juice, openedDiscardBaked potatoesDiscardCommercial garlic in oilDiscardPotato saladDiscardCasseroles, soups, stewsDiscard
Food Safety During Power Outage (2025)

FAQs

Food Safety During Power Outage? ›

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. The refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours. If the power is off longer, you can transfer food to a cooler and fill with ice or frozen gel packs. Make sure there is enough ice to keep food in the cooler at 40°F or below.

How do you keep food safe during a power outage? ›

After 4 hours without power, put refrigerated perishable foods in a cooler. Add ice or another cold source to keep them at 40°F or below. After Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out.

How long will food stay safe in a refrigerator without power? ›

As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.

What food is safe to eat after power outage? ›

General Food Safety of Refrigerated Foods

Refrigerated foods that can be held at temperatures above 40ºF until power returns include: hard cheeses, butter, margarine, fresh fruits, fruit juice, fresh unpeeled vegetables, salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, olives, pickles, jams, jellies and peanut butter.

How long will milk last in the fridge without power? ›

If the power's been out for more than four hours, refrigerated foods like milk, eggs, meats, poultry and fish should be thrown out, the CDC suggests.

How long does cheese last in the fridge without power? ›

When left unopened, your fridge should be able to keep its contents cold for about 4 hours and your freezer for 24-48 hours, depending on how full it is. As a rule of thumb, you should discard any perishable foods that have been stored above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours.

Should I move fridge food to freezer during power outage? ›

If you think the power will be out for longer than four hours, you can transfer perishable food to the freezer or to a cooler with ice packs to extend its life.

Should I unplug my refrigerator during a power outage? ›

Televisions, computer equipment, game consoles, fans, lights and all other smaller appliances should be unplugged, especially if they were in use when the power went out. Larger appliances, such as refrigerators, should not be unplugged.

Do grocery stores have backup generators? ›

Though purchasing backup commercial generators has been a trend, many grocery store & supermarket chains are increasingly adopting this strategy to help mitigate and avoid loss of profits and mitigate loss of inventory.

Do eggs need to be refrigerated? ›

Yes, in the U.S., eggs need to be refrigerated. “Eggs that have just been laid by hens should be refrigerated immediately,” Amidor says.

Does butter need to be thrown out after a power outage? ›

Milk products: You can keep butter, margarine, hard cheeses like cheddar, Swiss and Parmesan. You can also keep processed cheeses and grated Parmesan cheeses such as Parmesan and Romano. Fruits and Juices: Juices, and even opened canned fruit juices, do not have to be thrown away.

What happens if food goes bad during power outage? ›

If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40° F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook. If the power was out for no more than 4 hours, refrigerated food should be safe as long as the doors were kept closed.

Is cheese ok after a power outage? ›

Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after 4 hours without power or 2 hours after the temperature rises above 41 °F. At any time, discard spoiled, moldy food and anything that does not look or smell right.

How long can eggs last in the fridge without power? ›

The USDA said refrigerators will keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage. After that, perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and cooked leftovers should all be put in the garbage.

How long is food ok in the freezer without power? ›

Food should be safe to eat for 48 hours in a full freezer or 24 hours in a half-full freezer if the door stayed shut during a power outage. Food with ice crystals or that has remained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below may be safely refrozen, although it probably won't taste very good.

What if the power goes out while cooking chicken? ›

Throw out any food, especially meat, that was in the process of cooking but hadn't reached its safe cooking temperature when the power went out. Do not open refrigerator or freezer doors unless absolutely necessary in order to maintain the cold temperature.

How do you prevent food spoilage in a power outage? ›

If the power outage is expected to last for an extended period, dry ice and ice blocks can be used to keep foods cold. Handle dry ice with caution. Separate dry ice from food products using a piece of cardboard; place the dry ice on top of the cardboard.

How long will food last in a power cut? ›

The most important thing to remember is: keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed! A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if the door is kept closed. A full freezer will keep temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).

How do you keep food fresh without electricity? ›

Lastly, if you're anticipating a power outage, make some large ice bricks using takeout containers, gallon bags, or other sealable vessels to put in a cooler during a power outage. If made from drinking water, they can also be used for hydration in a pinch.

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