Are Frozen Foods Safe After a Power Outage?

After a power outage, decisions about frozen food must be based on its temperature and how long it warmed. How long does a closed freezer stay cold?A full freezer kept closed can maintain its temperature for about 48 hours, and a half-full one for about 24 hours; these are not unconditional safety periods for every food. Note when the outage started and keep the door closed. What can be refrozen?Check when power returns, before the food cools down again. Food that still contains ice crystals or measures 4°C / 40°F or below with a food thermometer can generally be refrozen or cooked, although quality may change. Also follow the official food-specific outage chart; thawed ice cream, for example, has different refreezing guidance. What should be discarded?Discard perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and cooked meals that have been above 4°C / 40°F for 2 hours or longer. If the time and temperature history is uncertain, do not decide by tasting. Cooling or refreezing after power returns does not undo previous unsafe storage. Are appearance and smell enough?No; normal appearance or feeling cold to the touch does not prove safety. Discard food with mold, sliminess, or a bad odor. What can be done during an outage?Cold packs or a suitable cooler can help maintain safe cold conditions. Do not assume extra ice will provide a fixed number of additional days; monitor temperature. Do not try to rescue suspect food by cooking it.