Warning: Check Food After Power Outages

BREWSTER, NY — With so many people without power from the Sunday overnight storm, health officials caution residents to check food left in refrigerators and freezers. Bacteria can easily grow in many foods at temperatures above 41 degrees Fahrenheit and make people ill.

Here are some general guidelines from the New York State Department of Health:

• Foods such as eggs, milk, meats, chicken, seafood, cooked leftovers, gravies, soups, or products with these ingredients, must be discarded if temperatures exceeded 41 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours.

• Other foods such as fruits, vegetables, juices, cheeses and condiments, may be stored above 41 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended time. Check appearance, odor, texture and color before eating.

• For frozen foods, if the freezer thermometer reads 40° F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen. (If there is no thermometer in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety.

• Don’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals, it is safe to refreeze or cook.) Refreezing may cause a loss in nutrition, taste or quality.

• Frozen foods that have completely thawed and have been warmed to temperatures above 41 degrees Fahrenheit should be discarded.

The motto to remember is: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

In Putnam County, health officials said they have been making site visits to local restaurants and other food service businesses to ensure the safety of foods offered at these establishments.

Visit www.fda.gov for more information about food safety following a power outage.

PHOTO/ Lanning Taliaferro