Interested in Your Own Personally Branded Magazine? Click Here!

Want to customize this content for your business?

Learn More

Categories

  • Home
  • Health
  • Life
  • Beauty & Style
  • Food & Recipes



General

  • About the Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Customize Magazine


Editorial

  • Issue Archive
  • Editorial Calendar

Start Healthy Logo
  • Home
  • Health
  • Life
  • Beauty & Style
  • Food & Recipes
  • Search
  • Follow
  • 0 Heart
  • |
  • Food & Recipes Categories
    • No categories
  • Holiday & Entertaining Categories
    • No categories
  • Decor Categories
    • No categories
  • Real Estate Categories
    • No categories
  • Life & Culture Categories
    • No categories
  • Home Categories
    • No categories

Follow us on social media today!

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

(Food) Safety in Numbers

Home | By Matthew Brady | 0 Likes
SHARE
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More

Summertime means warmer weather—and, oftentimes, severe or unpredictable weather, which can result in power outages that can sometimes last for hours, if not days.

One of the first casualties of a power outage could be the items in your refrigerator and freezer. How long will they last? When should you toss them? The answers below will help you salvage as much as possible and stay safe when the power returns.

What to Know

  1. The magic numbers are 40°F in the fridge and 0°F in the freezer—the respective maximum temperatures at which food will stay viable.
  2. Of course, every minute the power is out, those temperatures will likely start creeping up. To slow this process down, keep the cold locked in by only opening the doors as necessary.
  3. Your fridge will keep items safe for up to four hours, while your freezer will do so for between one and two days, depending on how full it is.
  4. Plan ahead. For example, keeping a food thermometer in the fridge and freezer can help you check the temps every few hours once the power goes out. Also, if you have coolers and freezer packs, you can transfer some items so they stay cool longer.

Do not taste the food to determine if it’s good! Instead, follow the guidelines below.

Time to Trash?

Fridge Items

If the temperature has been above 40°F for two or more hours, discard items like meats and eggs, soft, shredded, and low-fat cheeses, sliced fruits and veggies, and dairy except salted butter and margarine (as salt is a natural preserver).

Freezer Items

You can refreeze virtually anything (other than ice cream, of course) if it’s still at fridge temperature or has ice crystals. However, if your freezer temperature rises above 40°F for two or more hours, the opposite is true: most items would need to be discarded.

For a complete list of what to do with specific foods, visit foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts

5836 Views

This article is tagged in:

FoodFreezerFridgeHealthy LivingSafetySummer

Related Posts

Cooking oil
Food & Recipes | Jun 3, 2025

A Guide to Healthy Cooking Oils

Older people playing pickle ball
Health | Feb 18, 2025

Top Fitness Programs for Older Adults

Family walking in field
Health | Feb 4, 2025

Finding Beauty in the Mundane

Older couple looking at laptop
Health | Jan 31, 2025

Internet Safety for Seniors

Exterior of house
Home | Dec 27, 2024

Making Your Home Safe for Senior Living

Popular Posts

Life | Mar 1, 2021

How to Work from Home the Right Way

Food & Recipes | Nov 15, 2018

Pastrami Pork Loin

Fall | Apr 16, 2021

Simple Ways to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

wellness-guide
Health | Mar 24, 2020

An At-Home Wellness Guide

Food & Recipes | Oct 8, 2021

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Trifle


You may also like:

Life | Mar 1, 2021

How to Work from Home the Right Way

Food & Recipes | Nov 15, 2018

Pastrami Pork Loin

Home | Apr 16, 2021

Simple Ways to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

wellness-guide
Health | Mar 24, 2020

An At-Home Wellness Guide

Desserts | Oct 8, 2021

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Trifle

coffee
Home | Mar 3, 2021

6 Uses for Coffee Grounds Around the Home

Organizing | Jun 8, 2021

Colors That Can Bring a Sense of Calm to Your Space

Share on Social Media

Our mission is to inspire you to think more proactively about your health so you can enjoy a more active, enriching life.

© 2025 Start Healthy

General
  • About the Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Customize Magazine
Editorial
  • Issue Archive
  • Editorial Calendar
Categories
  • Home
  • Health
  • Life
  • Beauty & Style
  • Food & Recipes
Follow Us
Facebook Pinterest Instagram

Customize this content for your business!

Learn More

,