Power outages can happen unexpectedly, and one of the immediate concerns for many households is food safety, especially regarding refrigerated items. Understanding how long food remains safe in a refrigerator without power is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses and minimize food waste. This guide provides detailed information on keeping your food safe during a power outage and helps you decide when to save food and when it’s safer to discard it.
Generally, your refrigerator will keep food safely cold for up to 4 hours during a power outage, provided you keep the door closed as much as possible. This timeframe is based on the refrigerator’s ability to maintain a temperature below 40°F (4°C), the temperature at which bacteria start to multiply rapidly. However, several factors can influence this duration, and it’s essential to understand them to make informed decisions about your food.
Factors influencing how long food stays safe in a refrigerator without power include:
- The temperature inside the refrigerator before the power outage: If your refrigerator was already at or below 40°F (4°C), it will maintain a safe temperature for a longer period.
- How full the refrigerator is: A full refrigerator retains cold better than a partially filled one. The mass of the food helps to keep the temperature down.
- How frequently the door is opened: Every time you open the refrigerator door, cold air escapes, and warmer air enters, reducing the safe storage time. Avoid opening the door unless absolutely necessary.
- The ambient temperature: In hotter weather, the refrigerator will warm up faster than in cooler conditions.
After 4 hours without power, refrigerated perishable foods become increasingly risky. These include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, and leftovers. When the temperature rises above 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours, bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels, potentially causing foodborne illnesses.
Never taste food to determine its safety. When in doubt, it is always best to throw it out. Foodborne bacteria are often undetectable by taste or smell and can cause serious health issues.
To help you navigate food safety during a power outage, refer to the following guidelines for refrigerated foods:
| Type of Food | Safety Guideline after 4 hours of power outage (Temperature above 40°F for more than 2 hours) |
|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, Seafood | |
| Raw or cooked meat, poultry, seafood | Discard |
| Thawing meat or poultry | Discard |
| Meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, egg salads | Discard |
| Gravy, stuffing, broth | Discard |
| Lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage | Discard |
| Pizza with any topping | Discard |
| Canned hams (“Keep Refrigerated”) | Discard |
| Opened canned meats and fish | Discard |
| Casseroles, soups, stews | Discard |
| Cheese | |
| Soft cheeses (Brie, cottage, ricotta) | Discard |
| Hard cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan) | Keep |
| Processed cheeses | Keep |
| Shredded cheeses | Discard |
| Low-fat cheeses | Discard |
| Grated Parmesan/Romano (canned/jar) | Keep |
| Dairy | |
| Milk, cream, sour cream, yogurt | Discard |
| Butter, margarine | Keep |
| Opened baby formula | Discard |
| Eggs | |
| Fresh shell eggs, egg dishes | Discard |
| Custards, puddings, quiche | Discard |
| Fruits | |
| Cut fresh fruits | Discard |
| Uncut fresh fruits | Keep |
| Opened fruit juices | Keep |
| Opened canned fruits | Keep |
| Dried fruits, raisins, dates | Keep |
| Sliced/shredded coconut | Discard |
| Sauces, Spreads, Jams | |
| Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce | Discard (if above 50°F for > 8hrs) |
| Peanut butter | Keep |
| Jelly, relish, mustard, catsup | Keep |
| Worcestershire, soy, BBQ sauces | Keep |
| Fish/oyster sauces | Discard |
| Opened vinegar-based dressings | Keep |
| Opened creamy dressings | Discard |
| Opened spaghetti sauce | Discard |
| Bread, Cakes, Pasta, Grains | |
| Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins | Keep |
| Refrigerator biscuits, cookie dough | Discard |
| Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes | Discard |
| Pasta salads (mayo/vinaigrette) | Discard |
| Fresh pasta | Discard |
| Cheesecake | Discard |
| Waffles, pancakes, bagels | Keep |
| Pies and Pastry | |
| Cream-filled pastries | Discard |
| Pies (egg/milk fillings) | Discard |
| Fruit pies | Keep |
| Vegetables | |
| Cut fresh vegetables | Discard |
| Uncut fresh vegetables | Keep |
| Mushrooms, herbs, spices | Keep |
| Pre-cut/washed greens | Discard |
| Cooked vegetables | Discard |
| Tofu, cooked | Discard |
| Opened vegetable juice | Discard |
| Baked potatoes | Discard |
| Commercial garlic in oil | Discard |
| Potato salad | Discard |
| Casseroles, soups, stews | Discard |
Preparing for a Power Outage:
While knowing how long food is good in a fridge without power is essential, proactive steps can further enhance food safety during outages:
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer at the correct temperatures: The refrigerator should be at or below 40°F (4°C), and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C). Use appliance thermometers to monitor these temperatures regularly.
- Freeze water bottles or gel packs: These can be placed in your refrigerator during an outage to help maintain a colder temperature for longer.
- Group food together in the freezer: This helps food stay cold longer.
- Know where to get dry ice or block ice: In case of prolonged outages, these can be used to keep your refrigerator or freezer cold. 50 pounds of dry ice will keep a fully-loaded 18-cubic-foot freezer cold for two days.
After the Power is Restored:
Once power is restored, check the temperature inside your refrigerator and freezer. If the refrigerator temperature has stayed at or below 40°F (4°C) and the power has been out for no more than 4 hours, your refrigerated food should be safe.
For frozen foods, a full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if half full), provided the door remains closed. You can safely refreeze frozen food if it still contains ice crystals or feels as cold as if refrigerated. However, the quality of refrozen food may be affected. Discard any frozen food that has been at temperatures above 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours, or if it has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
| Type of Frozen Food | Safety Guideline if containing ice crystals and cold | Safety Guideline if above 40°F for more than 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, Seafood | ||
| All types of cuts | Refreeze | Discard |
| Stews, soups | Refreeze | Discard |
| Dairy | ||
| Milk | Refreeze (texture may change) | Discard |
| Eggs (out of shell), egg products | Refreeze | Discard |
| Ice cream, frozen yogurt | Discard | Discard |
| Soft/semi-soft cheeses | Refreeze (texture may change) | Discard |
| Hard cheeses | Refreeze | Refreeze |
| Shredded cheeses | Refreeze | Discard |
| Cheesecake | Refreeze | Discard |
| Fruits | ||
| Juices | Refreeze | Refreeze (discard if mold/smell/sliminess) |
| Home/commercial packaged fruits | Refreeze (texture/flavor change) | Refreeze (discard if mold/smell/sliminess) |
| Vegetables | ||
| Juices | Refreeze | Discard (after 6 hours above 40°F) |
| Home/commercial packaged/blanched | Refreeze (texture/flavor loss) | Discard (after 6 hours above 40°F) |
| Breads and Pastries | ||
| Breads, rolls, muffins, cakes (no custard) | Refreeze | Refreeze |
| Cakes, pies, pastries (custard/cheese) | Refreeze | Discard |
| Pie crusts, bread dough | Refreeze (quality loss may occur) | Refreeze (considerable quality loss) |
| Other Foods | ||
| Casseroles (pasta/rice based) | Refreeze | Discard |
| Flour, cornmeal, nuts | Refreeze | Refreeze |
| Breakfast items (waffles, pancakes) | Refreeze | Refreeze |
| Frozen meals, entrees, pizza | Refreeze | Discard |
Key Takeaway: When in Doubt, Throw it Out!
Navigating food safety during a power outage can be stressful, but prioritizing safety is paramount. By understanding how long food is good in a fridge without power, knowing the risk factors, and following these guidelines, you can protect yourself and your family from foodborne illnesses. Always err on the side of caution and discard any food items that you are unsure about. Staying informed and prepared is the best approach to managing food safety during power outages.
