As fires continue to ravage multiple communities across L.A. County, thousands of homes and businesses are without power.
If there’s a power outage in your neighborhood, it’s important to know how long food can remain safe in your refrigerator. Here’s what to know about critical food safety measures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
How long will food last in a refrigerator without power?
Your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage, the USDA says.
The agency recommends keeping the door closed as much as possible to preserve the internal temperature.
After four hours without power, perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers should be discarded.
How long will food last in a freezer without power?
Food inside a freezer will hold a safe temperature for much longer. Frozen foods can remain safe for approximately 48 hours if the freezer is full and 24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed.
If food still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, it can be safely refrozen– however, its quality may suffer.
How to know when food is safe to eat?
The USDA stresses never tasting food to determine its safety. You can evaluate each item separately using the agency’s safety guide. If you have doubts, it’s better to throw it out.