Tornados have touched down all across the southern U.S. over the past couple of days, resulting in tens of thousands without power. I’m one of them. Ours went out about 4pm this afternoon and hasn’t yet returned (6hrs now). At 5:30 I checked the temps of a couple of foods in the fridge. They had already risen to 45F and 47F. The foods requiring time and temperature control in our fridge aren’t going to make it. Not sure about the freezer yet.

At least we’re only dealing with food risks. There are families in my neighborhood who don’t have roofs anymore.

You can download an updated food safety for storms infosheet here.

Food Safety Infosheet Highlights:
– Tornados and storms can cause power outages and lead to food safety concerns
– With the door closed, food in most freezers will stay below 41° F for up to 3 days.
– Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
– You can safely re-freeze foods that still contain ice crystals or that have been kept at 41° F or below.
– Certain foods such as condiments, jams and jellies and breads will not be at risk for pathogen growth if not refrigerated.