Keeping Food Safe During A Power Outage

(Tulsa, OK) The Tulsa Health Department has issued food safety guidelines for those who are experiencing power outages. <br/><br/>It is important that individuals do not rely on their eyes and sense of

Thursday, June 3rd 2004, 2:50 pm

By: News On 6

(Tulsa, OK) The Tulsa Health Department has issued food safety guidelines for those who are experiencing power outages.

It is important that individuals do not rely on their eyes and sense of smell when determining if food is safe to eat. â€œThe key is that any food kept above 41 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four hours should be considered unsafe.â€ stated Elizabeth Nutt, Consumer Protection Division Director for the Tulsa Health Department.

Foods of the greatest concern are meats, lunch meats, fish and shellfish, poultry, soft cheese, dairy, eggs, and cut fruits and melons. Individuals should keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. With the freezer closed, foods usually will stay cold at least a day, perhaps two or three days depending on the quantity of insulation.

If food stored in a freezer still has ice crystals when the power is turned back on, it can be safely refrozen or cooked at a later date. The safest advice to follow is when in doubt throw it out.

For more food safety tips please visit the Tulsa Health Department web site at www.tulsa-health.org/consumer/foodtips.htm and www.dryiceinfo.com/safe.htm.