What Refrigerated Food is Safe Following the Power Outages

The Macomb County Health Department shares the following food storage tips and recommendations following the power outages in St. Clair Shores:

• Keep the freezer door closed as long as possible, which will keep many food items frozen for up to 72 hours if the door is kept closed.
• Items such as frozen fruits, ice cream, fish and vegetables will thaw quickly. A top mount refrigerator-freezer will hold most foods for up to 24 hours. Side by side configuration refrigerator freezer units will hold foods up to 12 hours.
• A full freezer will stay colder longer.

Once power is restored, the Health Department offers the following suggestions on which food to keep and which to throw away:

Freezer unit

• Meats – If ice crystals are present, they can be refrozen safely.
• Fish and shellfish – Should be cooked and used immediately.
• If the food is completely thawed, it should be cooked first and then refrozen. Any frozen item should be used as soon as possible.
• Completely thawed packages of vegetables should not be refrozen.
• Frozen fruits will suffer some loss of taste and flavor.

Refrigerators

• Refrigerators should be checked with a thermometer. If the air temperature exceeds 40 degrees Fahrenheit, foods such as meats, dairy products, poultry, and fish should be discarded and not used. 
• The Health Department urges, "When in doubt, throw out."

Source: The Macomb County Health Department.

This story was updated at 7:23 p.m. Sunday.