Community Corner

Food Safety Tips During a Power Outage

How long will the food in your fridge and freezer stay good? We've got the answer for you.


Power has been out for more than 24 hours for most people and by now you're probably wondering: is the food in my fridge and freezer still good?

You're probably not the only wondering, and that's why the Connecticut Department of Public Health issued a press release with food safety tips during power outages. They advise:

  • The refrigerator will keep food at proper temperature for about four hours if the doors are not opened. A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full).
  • If the temperature in your refrigerator or freezer goes above 40 degrees, throw away perishable foods such as beef, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and cut fruits and vegetables.
  • Food can be safely refrozen if it still has ice crystals on it or has stayed below 40 degrees.
  • As always, if there is any doubt as to the safety of the food, it is best to discard the food rather than take a chance of contracting a foodborne illness. 

The bottom line, health officials say: "When in doubt, throw it out!"

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