Food safety during a power outage is tricky.

How long can things last, and how can you keep the fridge as cold as possible?

Here, the how-to.

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board-certified sports dietitian

sweltering heat in peak summertime, hurricane season, and mid-winter storms).

So, what can you do if this happens to you to minimize how much you have to toss?

For starters, keep the options cool in general.

An image of four wine glasses on a wooden surface

But once the power goes out, youre up against the clock to ensure that your food stays fresh.

Heres what to know about food safety during a power outageand how to mitigate the worst of the impact.

Thus, refrigerated food should be discarded after a maximum of four hours without power, says Jones.

Young woman mixing ice coffee

You get a little more time in the freezer, though.

That temperature check is extremely important if you are trying to salvage any food, says Jones.

The jot down of food matters, too.

Cropped shot of young woman shopping in the dairy section of a supermarket. She is reading the nutrition label on a container of fresh organic healthy natural yoghurt

board-certified sports dietitian

But again, be sure to check all food before consuming it with a thermometer.

And when it doubt, toss or compost it.

Better safe than salmonella.

Two cups with coffee and green tea on a beige background.

How to keep food fresh for longer during a power outage:

1. you’re able to also keep your ice packs in coolers nearby.

Stock up your freezer

Keep that freezer full if you’re able to.

Looking for healthy foods to flesh our your freezer supply?

red pigment in a wooden spoon

Check out these healthy picks a dietitian loves:

3.

But, know this doesnt keep your food safe for very long without additional support, Jones says.

This will keep foods as cold as they can be for as long as possible.

The risk just isnt worth the reward.

Originally published on August 21, 2020 with additional reporting by Betty Gold.

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