Food Safety During a Power Outage

Food Safety During a Power Outage

It should be safe as long as power is out for no more than four hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible. If you know a power outage is likely, freeze water in plastic bags (or purchase frozen cold packs) and pack the refrigerator with them as soon as the power goes out. A few on each shelf can help keep the food below 40˚F longer. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that has been above 40˚F for over two hours.

Some homeowner’s insurance policies or power companies cover the cost of food lost during a power outage. Check with your insurance company or power supplier to see if you can be reimbursed so you can restock when the power comes back on.

Download a PDF version of this guide here. 


Discard Times for Refrigerated Foods After Power Outage

Meat, Poultry, Seafood

Held above
40°F for
over 2
Hours

Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, seafood; soy meat
substitutes
Discard
Meat or poultry in the process of thawing
Discard
Salads: meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, egg
Discard
Gravy, stuffing, broth
Discard
Lunch meats, hot dogs, bacon, sausages, dried beef
Discard
Pizza—with any topping
Discard
Canned hams labeled “Keep Refrigerated”
Discard
Canned meats and fish, opened
Discard
Casseroles, soups, stews
Discard

Cheese

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Soft cheeses: blue-veined, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream,
Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchâtel, queso
blanco, queso fresco
Discard
Hard cheeses: cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, RomanoSafe
Processed cheesesSafe
Shredded cheesesDiscard
Low-fat cheesesDiscard
Grated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar)Safe

Dairy

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, 
soy milk
Discard
Butter, margarineSafe
Baby formula, openedDiscard

Eggs

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Fresh eggs, hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg productsDiscard
Custards, puddings, quicheDiscard

Fruits

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Fresh fruits, cutDiscard
Fruit juices, openedSafe
Canned fruits, openedSafe
Fresh fruits, coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits, datesSafe

Sauces, Spreads, Jams

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish
Discard if above 50°F for over 8 hours
Peanut butterSafe
Jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, ketchup, olives, picklesSafe
Worcestershire, soy, barbecue, hoisin saucesSafe
Fish sauces, oyster sauceDiscard
Opened vinegar-based dressingsSafe
Opened creamy-based dressingsDiscard
Spaghetti sauce, opened jarDiscard

Breads, Cakes, Cookies, Pasta, Grains

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Breads, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillasSafe
Refrigerator biscuits, rolls, cookie doughDiscard
Cooked pasta, rice, potatoesDiscard
Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigretteDiscard
Fresh pastaDiscard
CheesecakeDiscard
Breakfast foods—waffles, pancakes, bagelsSafe

Pies, Pastries

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Pastries, cream-filledDiscard
Pies—custard- or cheese-filled, or chiffon; quicheDiscard
Pies, fruitSafe

Vegetables

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spicesSafe
Greens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packagedDiscard
Vegetables, rawSafe
Vegetables, cooked; tofuDiscard
Vegetable juice, openedDiscard
Baked potatoesDiscard
Commercial garlic in oilDiscard
Potato saladDiscard
Casseroles, soups, stewsDiscard

Discard Times for Frozen Foods After Power Outage

Thawed or partially thawed food in the freezer may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40˚F or below. Partial thawing and refreezing may affect the quality of some food, but the food will be safe to eat. If you keep an appliance thermometer in your freezer, it’s easy to tell whether food is safe. When the power comes back on, check the thermometer. If it reads 40˚F or below, the food is safe and can be refrozen. Otherwise discard it.
 

Meats, Poultry, Seafood

Still Contains Ice Crystals and Feels as Cold as if Refrigerated

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Beef, veal, lamb, pork, ground meatsRefreezeDiscard
Poultry, ground poultryRefreezeDiscard
Variety meats (liver, kidney, heart,
chitterlings)
RefreezeDiscard
Casseroles, stews, soupsRefreezeDiscard
Fish, shellfish, breaded seafood 
products
Refreeze, though there will be some texture and flavor loss
Discard

Dairy

Still Contains Ice Crystals and Feels as Cold as if Refrigerated

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

MilkRefreeze; may lose some textureDiscard
Eggs (out of shell) and egg productsRefreezeDiscard
Ice cream, frozen yogurtDiscardDiscard
Cheese (soft and semi-soft)Refreeze; may lose some textureDiscard
Hard cheesesRefreezeRefreeze
Shredded cheesesRefreezeDiscard
Casseroles containing milk, cream, eggs, soft cheeses
RefreezeDiscard
CheesecakeRefreezeDiscard

Fruits

Still Contains Ice Crystals and Feels as Cold as if Refrigerated

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

JuicesRefreeze
Refreeze; discard if 
mold, yeasty smell, or 
sliminess develops
Home or commercially packaged
Refreeze; will change texture
and flavor
Refreeze; discard if 
mold, yeasty smell, or 
sliminess develops

Vegetables

Still Contains Ice Crystals and Feels as Cold as if Refrigerated

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

JuicesRefreeze
Discard after held above
40°F for 6 hours
Home or commercially packaged or 
blanched
Refreeze; may suffer texture and 
flavor loss
Discard after held above 
40°F for 6 hours

Breads, Pastries

Still Contains Ice Crystals and Feels as Cold as if Refrigerated

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Breads, rolls, muffins, cakes (without 
custard fillings)
RefreezeRefreeze
Cakes, pies, pastries with custard or
cheese filling
RefreezeDiscard
Pie crusts, commercial and homemade 
bread dough
Refreeze; some quality loss may 
occur
Refreeze; quality loss is 
considerable

Other

Still Contains Ice Crystals and Feels as Cold as if Refrigerated

Held above 40°F for over 2 Hours

Casseroles, pasta- or rice-basedRefreezeDiscard
Flour, cornmeal, nutsRefreezeRefreeze
Breakfast items-–waffles, pancakes, 
bagels
RefreezeRefreeze
Frozen meals, entrées, specialty items 
(pizzas, sausage and biscuit sandwiches,
meat pies, convenience foods)
RefreezeDiscard

Support CSPI today

As a nonprofit organization that takes no donations from industry or government, CSPI relies on the support of donors to continue our work in securing a safe, nutritious, and transparent food system. Every donation—no matter how small—helps CSPI continue improving food access, removing harmful additives, strengthening food safety, conducting and reviewing research, and reforming food labeling. 

Please support CSPI today, and consider contributing monthly. Thank you.

$3$5$7$10other