WSU Thurston County

720 Sleater Kinney Rd

Lacey WA  98503

360-786-5445

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Thurston County Extension

Food Safety:  Package Food

The Olympian, December 17, 1997

QUESTION: It’s the season for winter storms. IF my power goes out, can I store my perishable foods outside?

ANSWER: Absolutely not! There are many reasons why it is unsafe to store food outdoors. Food may be exposed to the sun’s rays and there could be melting of frozen foods. Outside temperatures vary.

Food that is inappropriately stored outside can easily enter the danger zone for bacterial growth (40 degree to 140 degree F). For example, if the outside temperature is 25 degree F, it is too cold for refrigerated foods and much too warm for frozen foods.

QUESTION: What if it’s really cold and I want to store frozen food?

ANSWER: Even if you have an ideal temperature outside, you will be exposing your food to unsanitary conditions and to animals that may stray by.

Every winter, consumers call and ask about whether food that was stored outside can be saved because a wild animal or dog got into it. Animals or pests are not clean and may harbor disease.

QUESTION: So, what do I do with refrigerated food if there is a power failure during a winter storm?

ANSWER: Many times, food can be protected and saved. If the power failure is not a lengthy one, several hours for example, refrigerated food will stay cold if the refrigerator door is kept closed. Don’t check on how cold the food is. Every time you open the door, you let our precious cold air.

To keep your refrigerator colder longer during a power outage, you can add block or bag ice or freezer gels knows as blue ice. If the weather is bad, you probably won’t be going out for ice. A good alternative is to keep a couple of blue ice packets in your freezer.

Remember that you should make the transfer from the freezer to refrigerator as quickly as possible.

QUESTION: What about frozen food?

ANSWER: Many times, frozen food can be protected and saved even in a lengthy power outage. Most freezers that are part of a refrigerator-freezer combination will keep food frozen for up to a day, if the door stays closed.

A free-standing chest or upright freezer will keep food frozen solid for two days, if it is fully loaded. A half-full freezer will still keep food frozen for a day - especially if the food has been grouped together.

QUESTION: How can I tell if my food should be discarded?

ANSWER: Food that has partially thawed and still has visible ice crystals may be re-frozen. However, the quality of the food will be greatly diminished and there may be differences in texture and taste.

Remember you can cook the thawed food and either eat it or re-freeze the cooked product.

With refrigerated food, it’s more difficult to say. When food temperature begins to rise, bacteria can begin to grow. The general rule is this: When in doubt, throw it out! Never taste suspect food. Some foods may look and smell find but still be dangerous because bacteria that cause food-borne illness may be present.

Doris Torkelson (B. Susie Craig)

Area Faculty

WSU Cooperative Extension Thurston County

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination.  Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension Office.   Cooperating agencies: Washington State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the county of Thurston.

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