Top Tips for Food Safety & Health During a Power Outage

By Ava Scarpato and Catarina Marchioli, Rejuvenan Nutrition Team

Power outages are more common than we would like these days, especially as we make our way through both fire and hurricane seasons. With the right information and preparation, there are ways to ensure that your family will have access to balanced and satisfying meals, and that your refrigerated and/or frozen foods will be kept safe and last longer even when the electricity goes out.

Below, you’ll find basic recommendations based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how to prepare ahead by stocking your pantry with shelf-stable foods that are easy to prepare without electricity, as well as tools that enable you to keep your perishable foods safe to eat for as long as possible.

1. Use appliance thermometers

Keep an appliance thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer to ensure that the refrigerator is kept at 40 ℉ or below and the freezer is at 0 ℉ or below. Keeping your ingredients chilled at proper temperatures is one of the best ways to prevent or slow the growth of harmful bacteria.

2. Stock up on multiple ice packs and a large cooler

Keep multiple ice packs frozen and ready for use in colors, which can help maintain the integrity of your refrigerated foods for a longer period of time without power. Keep in mind that this is only a temporary solution, as once the ice packs have warmed they will no longer keep foods cold.

3. Purchase dry ice or block ice

Dry ice or block ice can help to keep your food cold in the refrigerator if you think you will be without power for an extended period of time. Stores that sell dry ice include Safeway, Walmart, and Costco.

4. Keep your refrigerator and freezer door closed

Keeping your refrigerator and freezer door closed can delay the spoilage of food by maintaining the proper temperature. If you are able to keep your doors closed, food will stay safe for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator, 48 hours in a fully stocked freezer, or 24 hours in a half stocked freezer.

5. Transfer refrigerated items to a cooler

Place your refrigerated items in a cooler with added ice or frozen ice packs if the power has been out for 4 or more hours. Be sure to monitor the temperature using a food thermometer.

Below are the CDC’s recommendations for determining whether food is safe to consume once power returns.

1. When in doubt, throw it out!

To determine if a food is safe to eat, try smelling it or looking at the color and texture for clues about potential spoilage. Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. If you are unsure, throw it out.

2. Follow the 4 hour, 40 ℉ rule

Throw out perishable foods in your refrigerator if you have been without power for 4 or more hours and unable to keep your perishable foods cold in a cooler, or if your appliance thermometer shows a temperature above 40 ℉. Perishable foods include meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers.

3. Keep your cooler in check

Using a food thermometer, check the temperature of your food that has been kept in coolers and throw out any items that have been stored for more than 4 hours above 40 ℉. If foods have been kept above this temperature for less than 4 hours, they will likely be safe to eat.

When it comes to stocking your pantry, there are plenty of available options for shelf-stable fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins that can enable you to prepare balanced and healthy meals without electrical power. Many whole grain options do not need refrigeration, and it’s easy to keep a variety of shelf-stable cans and pouches of fruits, vegetables and lean protein options on hand, prioritizing those that are low in sodium and added sugars.

Tips for Buying Canned Goods:

Choose products that are labeled “ready to eat,” or do not involve preparation steps that require power from microwaves and electric stoves, and keep a hand-powered can opener among your kitchen utensils.

Choose Low/Reduced Sodium: The American Heart Association recommends that adults limit daily sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams mg, and that most move toward an ideal daily limit of no more than 1,500 mg. Sodium is used as a preservative and is commonly found in high amounts in non-perishable foods. In order to stay on track with your health goals, select canned items that have low or reduced sodium. Rinsing canned beans and/or vegetables under cold water before consuming, and being mindful not to add extra salt during preparing can also help reduce sodium intake. Instead, flavor your food using a variety of herbs and spices.

Find Fruits Canned in Water or Real Fruit Juice: Canned fruits often sit in syrup or juice which contributes a hidden source of added sugar. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting added sugars to less than 10% of your daily calorie intake. To achieve this goal, select fruit packed in 100% fruit juice or water. Specific amounts of added sugar can be found on the nutrition label.

Be Mindful About Canned Protein Foods: Canned sources of animal protein are often packaged in oil or water. Oil is a common source of fat; therefore, options canned in water will contain less fat and fewer calories than those canned in oil. If choosing options in oil, select those in vegetable oil, which helps reduce saturated fat intake, in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Shelf-Stable Foods Shopping List:

Fruits and Vegetables

Cans, jars or pouches:

• Beans, such as black, cannellini, garbanzo
• Fruits, such as peaches, pineapple, applesauce, pears, mandarin oranges
• Mixed fruit cups
• Tomatoes
• Vegetables, such as corn, green beans, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, peas, sauerkraut

Dried options:

• Apricots
• Blueberries
• Banana chips
• Raisins
• Craisins
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Prunes
• Dates
• Figs
• Freeze-dried strawberries, apples, mango

Produce that can be stored at room temperature:

• Apples
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Citrus, such as oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits
• Stone fruits, such as peaches, plums
• Pears
• Whole pomegranate
• Whole melons
• Whole mango
• Whole pineapple
• Garlic
• Whole onions
• Tomatoes

Whole grains:

• Whole grain breads, tortillas, or wraps
• Rolled oats
• Whole grain crackers

Protein options:

• Canned tuna
• Canned chicken
• Canned salmon
• Tins of sardines
• Mixed nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts
• Jarred nut butters
• Flax seeds
• Chia seeds
• Sunflower seeds

Here are two examples of healthy recipes that are available on the Rejuvenan app and can be easily prepared without electricity.

Tasty Hummus

Serves: 5

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned garbanzo beans, no salt added
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup raw unhulled sesame seeds
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon no salt seasoning (adjusted to taste)
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 small clove of garlic, minced

Directions: Using a potato masher, combine all ingredients and mash until creamy.

Mexican Salad

Serves: 1

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup black beans
• ⅓ cup canned corn
• ¼ cup low sodium salsa
• ½ ripe avocado, cubed

Directions: Combine all ingredients and serve.

Taking the time in advance to be prepared in the event of a power outage is smart, as it helps enable everyone to stay well-fed, as well as calm, cool and collected throughout. Visit Rejuvenan for more recipes and nutrition guidance, and if you live in an area prone to power outages, fill your pantry with plenty of shelf-stable and nourishing options for the whole family. We’re here for you every step of the way!

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