How to ensure food is safe to eat

Related Links: Other Power Out Considerations

Bacteria can make food unsafe to eat. Some bacteria can cause sickness. Lower your risks of any foodborne sickness by following these steps :

Your freezer

• Without electrical power, a full upright or chest freezer will keep everything frozen for about 2 days. A half-full freezer will keep food frozen for 1 day.
  
• If electrical power will be coming back on soon, you can make the food last longer by keeping the door shut as much as possible. Ice could help to keep the freezer cold.
  
• If electrical power will be off for a longer time period, take food to friends' or neighbours' freezers if you can.
  
• Throw out any thawed food that has been sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
  

Your refrigerator-freezer combination

• Without electrical power, the refrigerator section will keep food cool for 4-6 hours. Ice could help to keep refrigerator cool.
  
• Throw out any food with a strange colour or odor as soon as possible.
  
• Make sure raw meat, poultry or fish are wrapped very well and placed in the coldest section of your refrigerator.
  

When to Throw Food Out

Throw out the following foods if the electrical power to your refrigerator has been off for more than 4 hours (these are called perishable foods) :

• Raw or cooked meat, poultry and seafood;
  
• Milk, cream, yogurt, soft and semi-soft cheese;
  
• Cooked pasta, rice, and potatoes;
  
• Custard, pudding, chiffon, cheese pies;
  
• Casseroles, soups, stews;
  
• Refrigerated cookie dough;
  
• Cream-filled pastries;
  
• Salads (vegetable, pasta, potato, etc.);
  
• Fresh eggs, egg substitutes;
  
• Any food item with a strange colour or odour.
  

The following foods can be safe without refrigeration :

• Margarine and butter;
  
• Fresh fruits and vegetables;
  
• Peanut butter, jams and jellies;
  
• Breads, pastas and flour;
  
• Ketchup, barbecue sauce, or mustard;
  
• Unprepared powdered milk, dry and canned food;
  
• Hard or processed cheeses.
  

Where to cook food

Never use a charcoal grill indoors. The fumes can kill you or a family member.
If using a gas barbecue, use it outdoors.