ROCHELLE – During a power outage, it is crucial to evaluate refrigerated and frozen food to ensure safety. The USDA recommends keeping refrigerator doors closed as much as possible, as food can stay safe for up to four hours. After this time, discard perishable items like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers. For frozen food, a full freezer can maintain a safe temperature for up to 48 hours, while a half-full freezer lasts 24 hours. Food with ice crystals or at 40°F or below may be refrozen, but quality could decline. It’s important never to taste food to check its safety. Items exposed to unsafe temperatures for over two hours should be discarded, including most dairy, meats, and certain fruits and vegetables.
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