Monday, December 21, 2009
Freezer/Refrigerator Food Precautions
KENTUCKY...
The Pike County Health Department is issuing a consumer advisory concerning protection of frozen or refrigerated foods in residential freezers and refrigerators affected by the electrical power outage resulting from the December 18, 2009 snow storm. DO NOT open your freezer or refrigerator to check contents as cooling-loss occurs rapidly and safe storage time will be reduced. Cover these appliances with blankets or other insulating materials to reduce cooling loss. Modern refrigerators will maintain safe food temperatures without electrical power for two to four hours if kept closed. Beyond that time, any foods which are not ready to eat or which cannot be fully cooked before eating that contain meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or milk should be discarded to prevent food borne illnesses. Unopened freezers will maintain foods at safe temperatures for two to four days depending on freezer size and whether full or partially full, although thawing will occur. If power is restored during this time period, transfer thawed foods to the refrigerator and use promptly; if power is not restored, use only ready-to-eat foods or foods which you are able to cook immediately, which have not been contaminated by leakage of other thawed foods, otherwise food should be discarded.
For Further information call the Pike County Health Department, Environmental Section
606-437-5500 Ext. 541.
The Pike County Health Department is issuing a consumer advisory concerning protection of frozen or refrigerated foods in residential freezers and refrigerators affected by the electrical power outage resulting from the December 18, 2009 snow storm. DO NOT open your freezer or refrigerator to check contents as cooling-loss occurs rapidly and safe storage time will be reduced. Cover these appliances with blankets or other insulating materials to reduce cooling loss. Modern refrigerators will maintain safe food temperatures without electrical power for two to four hours if kept closed. Beyond that time, any foods which are not ready to eat or which cannot be fully cooked before eating that contain meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or milk should be discarded to prevent food borne illnesses. Unopened freezers will maintain foods at safe temperatures for two to four days depending on freezer size and whether full or partially full, although thawing will occur. If power is restored during this time period, transfer thawed foods to the refrigerator and use promptly; if power is not restored, use only ready-to-eat foods or foods which you are able to cook immediately, which have not been contaminated by leakage of other thawed foods, otherwise food should be discarded.
For Further information call the Pike County Health Department, Environmental Section
606-437-5500 Ext. 541.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 2:04 PM 
