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Power Outage Food Safety
Perishable foods are at risk during power outages, especially those lasting several hours or more. While power is out, refrigerated or frozen food can be at unsafe temperatures long enough to spoil or allow harmful bacteria and microorganisms to grow. Know how to manage perishable foods safely when long-term outages happen.
Thermometers
Use refrigerator and freezer thermometers to help identify food temperatures during a power outage. Freezer temperature should be at or below 0 F. Refrigerator temperature should be at or below 40 F.
Refrigerators
Refrigerated foods are safe for up to 4 hours during an outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible and use perishable foods first. After 4 hours, throw out perishable foods, such as raw meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, and leftovers.
Freezers
During a power outage, food in a half-full freezer is safe for up to 24 hours. Food can stay safe for up to 48 hours if the freezer is full. Keep the freezer door closed as much as possible.
Keep Foods at Safe Temperatures Longer
- Group refrigerated foods together, but keep raw meat separate from other foods.
- Move perishable refrigerated foods, such as milk and raw meat, to the freezer.
- Move food stored in the refrigerator or freezer door into the body of the fridge or freezer.
- Add bags of ice, ice packs, or ice blocks to refrigerators and freezers.
- Use coolers with lids and ice, ice packs, or ice blocks to store food.
When Power Returns
Once power returns, check temperatures of refrigerator and freezer thermometers. Foods with ice crystals or at 40 F or colder can be refrozen. Be aware that the food quality may decrease during this slight thaw and refreeze. If refrigerator thermometers read warmer than 40 F, and power has been out for 4 hours or more, throw out all perishable foods.
No Freezer or Refrigerator Thermometer?
If you are away from home when a power outage occurs, you might not know how long it lasted — or that an outage even happened. Food in refrigerators and freezers can reach an unsafe temperature during that time, but cool again once power comes back on, making it seem like food is still safe. Use University of Nebraska Extension's tip to help determine if there was a power outage and whether refrigerated food is safe.
- Store an ice cube or two in a sealed plastic bag or small container in the freezer.
- An ice cube melted down from its original shape means power was off for an extended period.
- A melted ice cube means power has been out long enough that throwing out all the food is the safest option.
Outages During Cold Weather
When power goes out in winter, do not place perishable food outside. Outside air temperatures may not be cold enough to keep foods at safe temperatures, and as the sun moves throughout the day, it can heat up previously shaded areas.
Snow can expose food to contamination from dirt, microorganisms, and animals. Do not attempt to keep food cool by sticking it in snow, and avoid using snow to fill coolers, refrigerators, or freezers.
If the outage is expected to be short, keep food in the refrigerator and freezer using ice, ice packs, or ice blocks. Remember, full freezers can keep food safe for around 48 hours.
During extended power outages, adequate nutrition is still important. Put together nutritious meals, even when access to refrigeration or electric appliances is unavailable for days or weeks.
Meal Planning
If internet access is available, visit foodsafety.gov or download the FoodKeeper app for full lists. Visit MyPlate.gov and use the model to help plan meals based on food groups. Find meal ideas below that do not require power to prepare.
Breakfast Ideas
- Dry cereal and milk with canned peaches. Use milk within 4 hours of a power outage or use powdered or ultra-high temperature milk, which needs to be refrigerated after opening.
- Yogurt and fresh berries with granola. Use yogurt within 4 hours of when the power goes out. Wash berries with water before eating.
- Avocado bread with applesauce. Top whole-grain bread with sliced avocados and black pepper; serve with canned applesauce.
- Bagel and banana. Spread peanut butter on a whole-grain bagel and top with sliced bananas.
Lunch Ideas
- Salad and sandwich. Open and drain a can of chickpeas. Mash with avocado, onion, and dry spices. Serve on bread or crackers.
- Tuna and crackers. Drain canned or foil-packed tuna and eat with whole-grain crackers.
- Cold taco salad. Drain canned chicken, black beans, and corn. Mix with bottled salsa and serve with tortillas or tortilla chips.
- Easy lunch box. Munch on cheese sticks, whole-grain crackers, sliced bell pepper with shelf-stable ranch dressing cups, and raisins.
Dinner Ideas
- Deli sandwich wraps and fresh fruit. Add deli meat, cheese, veggies, and condiments to tortillas. Use deli meats, cheeses, and opened, refrigerated condiments within 4 hours of a power outage.
- Asian-inspired bulgur salad. Requires boiling water. Cook the bulgur by pouring boiling water over it and letting it sit for 15 minutes. Mix in chopped almonds, canned apricots, chicken or beans, and chow mein noodles. Top with rice wine vinegar and oil.
- Cobb salad or eggless option. Add drained canned chicken, avocado slices, sliced tomato, and pre-cooked bacon bits to a plate of lettuce. Serve with whole-wheat crackers. If hard-boiled eggs are available, add them to the salad. Remember to wash all produce before eating.
- Picnic plate. Eat picnic-style with pieces of summer sausage, cheese, olives, nuts, pieces of dark chocolate, pita bread, snap peas, and mandarin oranges. Once packages are opened, use sausage, cheese, and olives within 4 hours of when the power goes out. Remember to wash all produce before eating.
Snacks
- Celery and apple slices with peanut butter. Remember to wash all produce before eating.
- Grapes and jerky. Remember to wash all produce before eating.
- Trail mix of dried fruit, nuts, and dry cereal.
- Tortilla chips and packaged salsa.