Protecting foods from power failures

Foods to be concerned about

• Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: foods include meat, poultry, cooked starches, sliced melons, sprouts, fresh herb and garlic-in-oil mixtures, dairy products, cut leafy greens, cut tomatoes, and cooked produce. Download related fact sheets:
  • Time as a Public Health Control measure (TPHC) (748 KB)
  • Tiempo como control de salud pública para alimentos listos para comer que requieren tiempo (español / Spanish, 785 KB)
• Some foods may remain safe but the quality may be affected by increases in temperature. These foods include salad dressings, mayonnaise, butter, margarine, produce, hard cheeses, and so on.
• Some foods are safe. These are carbonated beverages, unopened bottled juices, ketchup, mustard, relishes, jams, peanut butter, barbecue sauce, and so on.

Protect foods when the power goes out

• Try to keep the doors closed on your refrigerators and freezers as much as possible. This keeps the cold air inside. A full freezer can stay at freezing temperatures about 2 days; a half-full freezer about 1 day.
• If you think the power will be out for several days, try to find some ice to pack inside your refrigerator. Remember to keep your raw foods separate from your ready-to-eat foods.

When to save and throw out food

• Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as the power is out no more than a few hours and the refrigerator/freezer doors have been kept closed. Time/Temperature Control for Safety foods* should be discarded if they warm up above 41º F.
• Frozen foods that remain frozen are not a risk. If Time/Temperature Control for Safety foods* are thawed, but are still cold or have ice crystals on them, you should use them as soon as possible. If Time/Temperature Control for Safety foods* are thawed and are warmer than 41° F, you should discard them.

What to do when the power goes back on

Allow time for refrigerators to reach the proper temperature of less than 41º F before restocking. Restock with fresh foods, as necessary.