Just in time forHanukkahand upcomingChristmas festivities, Mother Nature is entering the chat and isdefinitelymaking herself known this week. According to theNational Weather Service, a “dangerous arctic outbreak” is likely to impact most of the lower 48 states. Frigid temperatures and “life-threatening wind chills” are expected to join snow or freezing rain in many parts of the country making travel challenging to impossible. When whipping winds meet that precipitation—especially the icy rain—power might be at-risk, too.Pictured Recipe:Easy Brown Rice Pilaf with Frozen VegetablesSo with that in mind, and with temps as low as -70° F (!) possible in parts of the U.S., it’s a good time to brush up on your nearest warming locations. (Search “warming centers near me” for local resources.) It’s also a good time to refresh your food safety knowledge in the event of a power outage.Is It Safe to Eat Food in Swollen or Bloated Packaging?How to Know If Frozen Food Is Safe to Eat After Losing PowerIf you keep the door closed, a fully-stocked freezer should stay at a safe temperature for about 48 hours, theDepartment of Health & Human Services(HHS) says. A half-full freezer should be safe for approximately 24 hours without power.Many foods and drinks should be A-OK to refreeze if they’re kept between 0° F (freezer temp) and 40° F (refrigerator temp), although they might lose some quality in the process.If you believe the frozen food has been allowed to hang out above 40° F for more than 2 hours, theDepartment of Health & Human Services(HHS) recommends discarding meats, casseroles, stews, pizzas, eggs and baked goods with custard or cheese. HHS food safety experts confirm that you should be safe to refreeze the following items, and discard the rest:Hard cheesesFruit juicesBreads, rolls, muffins, cakes, waffles, pancakes and bagelsPie crusts (although “quality loss is considerable”)FlourCornmealNutsThe Bottom LineIf foods are kept between 0° F and 40° F for a short time, some items are safe to refreeze and consume later. Toss any food with a strange odor, texture or color, theCDCrecommends, and “never taste food to determine its safety,” the HHS warns. If you have any doubts as to whether it’s still good or not, it’s best to throw it out and restock fresh.As you do so, check out our guide to thebest dietitian-approved frozen foodsto have on-hand for fast and nutritious meals.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Just in time forHanukkahand upcomingChristmas festivities, Mother Nature is entering the chat and isdefinitelymaking herself known this week. According to theNational Weather Service, a “dangerous arctic outbreak” is likely to impact most of the lower 48 states. Frigid temperatures and “life-threatening wind chills” are expected to join snow or freezing rain in many parts of the country making travel challenging to impossible. When whipping winds meet that precipitation—especially the icy rain—power might be at-risk, too.Pictured Recipe:Easy Brown Rice Pilaf with Frozen VegetablesSo with that in mind, and with temps as low as -70° F (!) possible in parts of the U.S., it’s a good time to brush up on your nearest warming locations. (Search “warming centers near me” for local resources.) It’s also a good time to refresh your food safety knowledge in the event of a power outage.Is It Safe to Eat Food in Swollen or Bloated Packaging?How to Know If Frozen Food Is Safe to Eat After Losing PowerIf you keep the door closed, a fully-stocked freezer should stay at a safe temperature for about 48 hours, theDepartment of Health & Human Services(HHS) says. A half-full freezer should be safe for approximately 24 hours without power.Many foods and drinks should be A-OK to refreeze if they’re kept between 0° F (freezer temp) and 40° F (refrigerator temp), although they might lose some quality in the process.If you believe the frozen food has been allowed to hang out above 40° F for more than 2 hours, theDepartment of Health & Human Services(HHS) recommends discarding meats, casseroles, stews, pizzas, eggs and baked goods with custard or cheese. HHS food safety experts confirm that you should be safe to refreeze the following items, and discard the rest:Hard cheesesFruit juicesBreads, rolls, muffins, cakes, waffles, pancakes and bagelsPie crusts (although “quality loss is considerable”)FlourCornmealNutsThe Bottom LineIf foods are kept between 0° F and 40° F for a short time, some items are safe to refreeze and consume later. Toss any food with a strange odor, texture or color, theCDCrecommends, and “never taste food to determine its safety,” the HHS warns. If you have any doubts as to whether it’s still good or not, it’s best to throw it out and restock fresh.As you do so, check out our guide to thebest dietitian-approved frozen foodsto have on-hand for fast and nutritious meals.
Just in time forHanukkahand upcomingChristmas festivities, Mother Nature is entering the chat and isdefinitelymaking herself known this week. According to theNational Weather Service, a “dangerous arctic outbreak” is likely to impact most of the lower 48 states. Frigid temperatures and “life-threatening wind chills” are expected to join snow or freezing rain in many parts of the country making travel challenging to impossible. When whipping winds meet that precipitation—especially the icy rain—power might be at-risk, too.
Pictured Recipe:Easy Brown Rice Pilaf with Frozen Vegetables
So with that in mind, and with temps as low as -70° F (!) possible in parts of the U.S., it’s a good time to brush up on your nearest warming locations. (Search “warming centers near me” for local resources.) It’s also a good time to refresh your food safety knowledge in the event of a power outage.
Is It Safe to Eat Food in Swollen or Bloated Packaging?
How to Know If Frozen Food Is Safe to Eat After Losing Power
If you keep the door closed, a fully-stocked freezer should stay at a safe temperature for about 48 hours, theDepartment of Health & Human Services(HHS) says. A half-full freezer should be safe for approximately 24 hours without power.
Many foods and drinks should be A-OK to refreeze if they’re kept between 0° F (freezer temp) and 40° F (refrigerator temp), although they might lose some quality in the process.
If you believe the frozen food has been allowed to hang out above 40° F for more than 2 hours, theDepartment of Health & Human Services(HHS) recommends discarding meats, casseroles, stews, pizzas, eggs and baked goods with custard or cheese. HHS food safety experts confirm that you should be safe to refreeze the following items, and discard the rest:
The Bottom Line
If foods are kept between 0° F and 40° F for a short time, some items are safe to refreeze and consume later. Toss any food with a strange odor, texture or color, theCDCrecommends, and “never taste food to determine its safety,” the HHS warns. If you have any doubts as to whether it’s still good or not, it’s best to throw it out and restock fresh.
As you do so, check out our guide to thebest dietitian-approved frozen foodsto have on-hand for fast and nutritious meals.
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