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                Food Safety During Emergencies

Food Safety During Emergencies

                        Protect Food and Water During Hurricanes and Other Storms
          Radiation Safety in the Food Supply
          Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Home
          Food
          Recalls, Outbreaks & Emergencies
          Food Safety During Emergencies
          Power Outages: Key Tips for Consumers About Food SafetyFood Safety During Emergencies Power Outages: Key Tips for Consumers About Food Safety
  
  	
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Protect Food and Water During Storms Main Page

En Español (Spanish)

**Be Prepared**

Have a refrigerator thermometer.
	Know where you can get dry ice.
	Keep on hand a few days worth of ready-to-eat foods that do not require cooking or cooling, which depend on electricity.**When the Power Goes Out**

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
	The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
	Refrigerators should be kept at 40° F or below for proper food storage.**Once the Power is Restored**

Check the temperature inside of your refrigerator and freezer.
	If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer reads 40° F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
	If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. You can't rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40° F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
	Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than 4 hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible.
	Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40° F for two hours or more.**For more information, see:**

Food Safety In an Emergency
	Key Tips for Hurricanes and Floods (FDA)
	Hurricanes: Health and Safety (FDA)
	Disasters & Emergencies: Hurricanes (HHS)Cortes de energía eléctrica: Consejos importantes para los consumidores sobre la seguridad de los alimentos y el agua

**Esté preparado**

Tenga un termómetro para el refrigerador.
	Sepa donde puede conseguir hielo seco.
	Tenga a mano un abastecimiento de alimentos listos para comer por varios días que no necesiten ser cocinados ni refrigerados, lo cual necesita electricidad.**Cuando se vaya la electricidad**

Mantenga las puertas del refrigerador y el congelador cerradas lo más que sea posible.
	El refrigerador mantendrá los alimentos fríos durante aproximadamente 4 horas si no se abre.
	Los refrigeradores se deben mantener a una temperatura de 40° F o menos para almacenar los alimentos correctamente.**Cuando regrese la electricidad**

Verifique la temperatura dentro de su refrigerador y congelador.
	Si dejó un termómetro para electrodomésticos dentro del congelador, verifique la temperatura cuando regrese la electricidad. Si el termómetro del congelador muestra 40° F o menos, los alimentos están seguros y los puede congelar nuevamente.
	Si no ha dejado un termómetro dentro del refrigerador, verifique cada paquete de comida para determinar su seguridad. No puede confiar solamente en la apariencia o el olor. Si el alimento todavía tiene cristales de hielo o está a una temperatura de 40° F o menos, es seguro congelarlo nuevamente o cocinarlo.
	Los alimentos refrigerados deberían estar seguros siempre y cuando la electricidad no se haya ido por más de 4 horas. Mantenga la puerta cerrada el tiempo que más le sea posible.
	Descarte cualquier alimento que se echa a perder fácilmente (tales como carnes, aves, pescado, huevos o sobras) que hayan estado a una temperatura mayor de 40° F durante dos horas o más.

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      02/02/2018
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesTopic(s)
			  EmergenciesFood Safety During Emergencies

          
                        Protect Food and Water During Hurricanes and Other Storms
          Radiation Safety in the Food Supply
          Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
 
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