Food safety during a power outage

Key reminders

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
• An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours. An unopened full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours; a half-full freezer about 24 hours.
• Before an outage, keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and the freezer at 0°F or below.
• Discard refrigerated perishables after 4 hours without power unless kept at 40°F or below with ice or another cold source.
• Never taste food to determine whether it is safe.
• Frozen food that still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below can be refrozen or cooked. Consult the official food charts for specific items.

Related supplies

Compare food-safety supplies

Check your thermometers, cooler, and cold-storage supplies before the next outage.

The supplies page includes Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.