How long does food last in refrigerator without power

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The Columbus Dispatch

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More than 230,000 Ohio residents — including more than 169,000 in the Columbus area — were without power Tuesday, and American Electric Power says power may not be restored until late Thursday evening in much of central Ohio.

And as we know, when the power goes out, all perishable food in the refrigerator and freezer is at risk of going bad, and it may not be safe to eat even after power comes back on.

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Here's what food safety experts recommend we do before, during and after a power outage.

How long is food good in the fridge without power?

To help best prevent food wastage during a power outage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping appliance thermometers in the refrigerator and freezer. The refrigerator should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and the freezer should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. 

During a power outage, the CDC recommends keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If the doors are closed, the food will stay safe for up to four hours in the refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer and 24 hours in a half-full freezer. If the power has been out for four hours and a cooler and ice is available, then put refrigerated perishable foods in the cooler. Add ice or a cold source like frozen gel packs to keep the food at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

After the power comes back on, here's what you should do to determine the safety of your food.

Interior of a home fridge showing several groceries

What to eat when the power goes out

Your best friend during a power outage is the pantry since nonperishable foods can withstand months of waiting without going bad. 

Things like peanut butter, breakfast cereal, as well as canned fruits and vegetables that are low in sodium. Nuts, crackers, snack bars. Grains, beans, and overnight oats that mix with water the night before can also be good sources of energy and don't require preparation or refrigeration before consumption.

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If power is restored before the temperatures get too high, meals that include meat, poultry, fish, or eggs, should be thoroughly cooked to a safe internal temperature. That way, food-borne bacteria that may have grown can be destroyed. 

But if at any point the food was sitting above 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the refrigerator for more than two hours, it should be thrown out. 

Tips to keep food cooler for longer

It'll require some preparation, but in times of an emergency, having food stay cooler for longer can go a long way. 

One of the best ways is to freeze some refrigerated items, like leftover milk and meat. 

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Grouping food together can also go a long way in retaining more cold temperatures in both the freezer and refrigerator. 

Having coolers with ice available can also help. That means having gel ice packs or bags of ice on hand.