Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency
Did you know that a flood, fire, national disaster, or the loss of power from high winds, snow, or ice could jeopardize the safety of your food? Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. This fact sheet will help you make the right decisions for keeping your family safe during an emergency. ABCD's of Keeping Food Safe in an Emergency Always keep meat, poultry, fish, and eggs refrigerated at or below 40 °F and frozen food at or below 0 °F. This may be difficult when the power is out. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. Obtain dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot full freezer for 2 days. Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased. Be prepared for an emergency... ... by having items on hand that don't require refrigeration and can be eaten cold or heated on the outdoor grill. Shelf-stable food, boxed or canned milk, water, and canned goods should be part of a planned emergency food supply. Make sure you have ready-to-use baby formula for infants and pet food. Remember to use these items and replace them from time to time. Be sure to keep a hand-held can opener for an emergency. Consider what you can do ahead of time to store your food safely in an emergency. If you live in a location that could be affected by a flood, plan your food storage on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water. Coolers are a great help for keeping food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours—have a couple on hand along with frozen gel packs. When your freezer is not full, keep items close together—this helps the food stay cold longer. Digital, dial, or instant-read food thermometers and appliance thermometers will help you know if the food is at safe temperatures. Keep appliance thermometers in the refrigerator and freezer at all times. When the power is out, an appliance thermometer will always indicate the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer no matter how long the power has been out. The refrigerator temperature should be 40 °F or below; the freezer, 0 °F or lower. If you're not sure a particular food is cold enough, take its temperature with a food thermometer.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. |
Flood waters covered our food stored on shelves and in cabinets. What can I keep and what should I throw out? |
A. |
Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water.
- Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water. Food containers that are not waterproof include those with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped caps. Also, discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home canned foods if they have come in contact with flood water, because they cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
- Inspect canned foods and discard any food in damaged cans. Can damage is shown by swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting, or crushing/denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener.
Steps to Salvage All-Metal Cans and Retort Pouches Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches (for example, flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches) can be saved if you do the following:
- Remove the labels, if they are the removable kind, since they can harbor dirt and bacteria.
- Thoroughly wash the cans or retort pouches with soap and water, using hot water if it is available.
- Brush or wipe away any dirt or silt.
- Rinse the cans or retort pouches with water that is safe for drinking, if available, since dirt or residual soap will reduce the effectiveness of chlorine sanitation.
- Then, sanitize them by immersion in one of the two following ways:
- Place in water and allow the water to come to a boil and continue boiling for 2 minutes, or
- Place in a freshly made solution consisting of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available) for 15 minutes.
- Air-dry cans or retort pouches for a minimum of 1 hour before opening or storing.
- If the labels were removable, then re-label your cans or retort pouches, including the expiration date (if available), with a marker.
- Food in reconditioned cans or retort pouches should be used as soon as possible, thereafter.
- Any concentrated baby formula in reconditioned, all-metal containers must be diluted with clean, drinking water.
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Q. |
How should I clean my pots, pans, dishes, and utensils? |
A. |
Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes, and utensils (including can openers) with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse and then sanitize them by boiling in clean water or immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available). |
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Q. |
How should I clean my countertops? |
A. |
Thoroughly wash countertops with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse and then sanitize them by applying a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available). Allow to air-dry. |
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Q. |
My home was flooded and I am worried about the safety of the drinking water. What should I do? |
A. |
Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available.
- If you don't have bottled water, you should boil water to make sure it is safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers.
- If you can't boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.
- If you have a well that had been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.
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Q. |
We had a fire in our home and I am worried about what food I can keep and what to throw away. |
A. |
Discard food that has been near a fire. Food exposed to fire can be damaged by the heat of the fire, smoke fumes, and chemicals used to fight the fire. Food in cans or jars may appear to be okay, but the heat from a fire can activate food spoilage bacteria. If the heat is extreme, the cans or jars themselves can split or rupture, rendering the food unsafe. One of the most dangerous elements of a fire is sometimes not the fire itself, but toxic fumes released from burning materials. Discard any raw food or food in permeable packaging—cardboard, plastic wrap, screw-topped jars, bottles, etc.—stored outside the refrigerator. Food stored in refrigerators or freezers can also become contaminated by fumes. The refrigerator seal isn't airtight and fumes can get inside. Chemicals used to fight the fire contain toxic materials and can contaminate food and cookware. Food that is exposed to chemicals should be thrown away—the chemicals cannot be washed off the food. This includes food stored at room temperature, such as fruits and vegetables, as well as food stored in permeable containers like cardboard and screw-topped jars and bottles. Cookware exposed to fire-fighting chemicals can be decontaminated by washing in soap and hot water. Then submerge for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. |
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Q. |
A snowstorm knocked down the power lines, can I put the food from the refrigerator and freezer out in the snow? |
A. |
No, frozen food can thaw if it is exposed to the sun's rays even when the temperature is very cold. Refrigerated food may become too warm and foodborne bacteria could grow. The outside temperature could vary hour by hour and the temperature outside will not protect refrigerated and frozen food. Additionally, perishable items could be exposed to unsanitary conditions or to animals. Animals may harbor bacteria or disease; never consume food that has come in contact with an animal. Rather than putting the food outside, consider taking advantage of the cold temperatures by making ice. Fill buckets, empty milk cartons or cans with water and leave them outside to freeze. Then put the homemade ice in your refrigerator, freezer, or coolers. |
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Q. |
Some of my food in the freezer started to thaw or had thawed when the power came back on. Is the food safe? How long will the food in the refrigerator be safe with the power off? |
A. |
Never taste food to determine its safety! You will have to evaluate each item separately. If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, read the temperature when the power comes back on. If the appliance thermometer stored in the freezer reads 40 °F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen. If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine the safety. Remember you cant rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below, it is safe to refreeze. Refrigerated food should be safe as long as power is out no more than 4 hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 40 °F for 2 hours. |
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Q. |
May I refreeze the food in the freezer if it thawed or partially thawed? |
A. |
Yes, the food may be safely refrozen if the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40 °F or below. You will have to evaluate each item separately. Be sure to discard any items in either the freezer or the refrigerator that have come into contact with raw meat juices. Partial thawing and refreezing may reduce the quality of some food, but the food will remain safe to eat. See the attached charts for specific recommendations. |
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Refrigerator Foods (Plesae note: as this is from the USDA non-kosher foods are listed here)
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When to Save and When to Throw It Out |
FOOD | Held above 40 °F for over 2 hours |
MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; soy meat substitutes |
Discard |
Thawing meat or poultry |
Discard |
Meat, tuna, shrimp,chicken, or egg salad |
Discard |
Gravy, stuffing, broth |
Discard |
Lunchmeats, hot dogs, sausage, dried beef |
Discard |
Pizza, with any topping |
Discard |
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Canned meats and fish, opened |
Discard |
CHEESE Soft Cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, queso fresco |
Discard |
Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, Romano |
Safe |
Processed Cheeses |
Safe |
Shredded Cheeses |
Discard |
Low-fat Cheeses |
Discard |
Grated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar) |
Safe |
DAIRY Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, soy milk |
Discard |
Butter, margarine |
Safe |
Baby formula, opened |
Discard |
EGGS Fresh eggs, hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg products |
Discard |
Custards and puddings |
Discard |
CASSEROLES, SOUPS, STEWS |
Discard |
FRUITS Fresh fruits, cut |
Discard |
Fruit juices, opened |
Safe |
Canned fruits, opened |
Safe |
Fresh fruits, coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits, dates |
Safe |
SAUCES, SPREADS, JAMS Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish |
Discard if above 50 °F for over 8 hrs. |
Peanut butter |
Safe |
Jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, pickles |
Safe |
Worcestershire, soy, barbecue, Hoisin sauces |
Safe |
Fish sauces (oyster sauce) |
Discard |
Opened vinegar-based dressings |
Safe |
Opened creamy-based dressings |
Discard |
Spaghetti sauce, opened jar |
Discard |
BREAD, CAKES, COOKIES,PASTA, GRAINS Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillas |
Safe |
Refrigerator biscuits,rolls, cookie dough |
Discard |
Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes |
Discard |
Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette |
Discard |
Fresh pasta |
Discard |
Cheesecake |
Discard |
Breakfast foods—waffles, pancakes, bagels |
Safe |
PIES, PASTRY Pastries, cream filled |
Discard |
Pies—custard,cheese filled, or chiffon; quiche |
Discard |
Pies, fruit |
Safe |
VEGETABLES Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spices |
Safe |
Greens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packaged |
Discard |
Vegetables, raw |
Safe |
Vegetables, cooked; tofu |
Discard |
Vegetable juice, opened |
Discard |
Baked potatoes |
Discard |
Commercial garlic in oil |
Discard |
Potato Salad |
Discard |
When to Save and When To Throw It Out |
FOOD | Still contains ice crystals and feels as cold as if refrigerated | Thawed. Held above 40 °F for over 2 hours |
MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD Beef, veal, lamb, pork, and ground meats |
Refreeze |
Discard |
Poultry and ground poultry |
Refreeze |
Discard |
Variety meats (liver, kidney, heart, chitterlings) |
Refreeze |
Discard |
Casseroles, stews, soups |
Refreeze |
Discard |
Fish, shellfish, breaded seafood products |
Refreeze. However, there will be some texture and flavor loss. |
Discard |
DAIRY Milk |
Refreeze. May lose some texture. |
Discard |
Eggs (out of shell) and egg products |
Refreeze |
Discard |
Ice cream, frozen yogurt |
Discard |
Discard |
Cheese (soft and semi-soft) |
Refreeze. May lose some texture. |
Discard |
Hard cheeses |
Refreeze |
Refreeze |
Shredded cheeses |
Refreeze |
Discard |
Casseroles containing milk, cream, eggs, soft cheeses |
Refreeze |
Discard |
Cheesecake |
Refreeze |
Discard |
FRUITS Juices |
Refreeze |
Refreeze. Discard if mold, yeasty smell, or sliminess develops. |
Home or commercially packaged |
Refreeze. Will change texture and flavor. |
Refreeze. Discard if mold, yeasty smell, or sliminess develops. |
VEGETABLES Juices |
Refreeze |
Discard after held above 40 °F for 6 hours. |
Home or commercially packaged or blanched |
Refreeze. May suffer texture and flavor loss. |
Discard after held above 40 °F for 6 hours. |
BREADS, PASTRIES Breads, rolls, muffins, cakes (without custard fillings) |
Refreeze |
Refreeze |
Cakes, pies, pastries with custard or cheese filling |
Refreeze |
Discard |
Pie crusts, commercial and homemade bread dough |
Refreeze. Some quality loss may occur. |
Refreeze. Quality loss is considerable. |
OTHER Casseroles—pasta, rice based |
Refreeze |
Discard |
Flour, cornmeal, nuts |
Refreeze |
Refreeze |
Breakfast items—waffles, pancakes, bagels |
Refreeze |
Refreeze |
Frozen meal, entree, specialty items (pizza, sausage and biscuit, meat pie,convenience foods) |
Refreeze |
Discard |
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A vehicle was attacked this morning (Friday) by an unmanned aerial vehicle in the town of Bazourieh in the Tyre district in southern Lebanon.
At the same time, artillery attacks were reported in Kfarhamam and Rachaya Al Foukhar in southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper reported that the person who was in the vehicle that was attacked by a UAV in Bazourieh was killed. According to the reports, the target was a senior official in the Hezbollah terrorist organization responsible for launching rockets at Israel.
Later in the day, the IDF confirmed that an IAF aircraft struck and eliminated Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, the Deputy Commander of Hezbollah’s Rocket and Missile Unit, in the area of Bazouriye in Lebanon. Ali was considered to be a significant source of knowled...
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Baltimore, MD - Mar. 27, 2024 - Misaskim of MD Blood Drive, This Sunday.
To register, click here
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We're thrilled to announce our return to Baltimore, Pikesville.
A fantastic team of experts from Israel will update you on buying real estate in Israel. Ben Levene, CEO of CapitIL Real Estate, is proud to reach nearly his 200th event globally. "Our events and expert have greatly assisted in helping Anglos purchase property in Israel, with October 7th and its impact these events are even more important today " he says.
At the event we will be presenting a special feature on buying Real Estate in Jerusalem, Netanya and Ramat Beit Shemesh for less than 1 Million Dollars .
For security reasons only general event location will be made public; specific venue details will be shared privately with verified registrants 24-28 hours before the event.
We are looking forward to welcomi...
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Baltimore, MD - Mar. 28, 2024:
Dear Friends,
Our hearts and souls have been with our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel since the start of this war on Simchas Torah. We have supported our people and our land with our teffilos, talmud Torah, chessed and ahavas chinam. This coming Wednesday, April 3rd will mark the 180th day of the war, which means 180 days that our precious hostages have been away from their families and nation.
The OU has initiated a campaign to deliver 180,000 letters to the White House on the 180th day of the war. I have been asked to be part of the delegation delivering these letters to the White House and will have the zechus to personally bring our kehilla’s letters to the leadership of the United States. I am...
When instructing the Kohanim regarding the details of bringing an עולה — elevation-offering, G-d departs from using the verb most often used when communicating to Moshe to 'say' or 'speak' to them, and instead tells him צו — to 'command' them.
Rashi adds that this more emphatic term is intended to urge extra zeal in dispatching this duty and should be conveyed constantly to future generations.
This verb is used in the very first command in the Torah — after the creation of Adam — where it describes how, ויצו — And G-d commanded, the man… The Zohar says that embedded in the verse are the original seven commands incumbent on mankind, with this very first צו — 'command' referring to idolatr...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 28, 2024 - A flash crime spree rocked a northwest Baltimore community early Tuesday morning.
Watch the video interview of Beazer residents
The Baltimore County Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred on Pebble Brooke Road near Kehillas Meor HaTorah synagogue. County police responded to the 911 call despite the incident taking place in Baltimore City.
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“I was on my way back [into the neighborhood], and as I was driving in, I saw some things that didn’t make sense for a random Tuesday morning,” Klein said. "I passed the getaway car."
This is a quiet ...
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Daylight Saving Time will be in effect until October 27, 2024, when Standard Time will take effect.
While Israelis will be losing an hour of sleep tonight, they will receive an additional hour of daylight for the next six months.
Energy savings have been mentioned among the economic benefits of Daylight Saving Time, as well as an expected increase in the sales of the leisure, entertainment and tourism industries.
The Ministry of Health also says that the added hours of daylight will have a positive effect on mental and physical health. In addition, the additional hours of daylight lead to a decrease i...
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In the last few years there has been an ongoing escalation in the threat against Israelis abroad, which has only become more severe since the beginning of Operation Iron Swords (October 2023), as there is increased motivation on the part of terrorists around the world to carry out attacks. Most apparent is the growing threat from Iran, along with Hamas ...
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Among the various sacrificial details contained in this week’s Parsha, the Torah teaches us the laws of the Korban Todah (thanksgiving offering). This offering was brought when a person was saved from a life-threatening or inherently dangerous situation. It was a sacrificial rite which enabled the individual to thank God for deliverance and salvation.
The Imrei Emes (Rav Avraham Mordechai Alter of Gur, 1866-1948) raises a fascinating question. Every korban (sacrificial offering) has a consumption window. You are permitted to eat the sacrifice for a certain amount of time. Afte...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 28, 2024 - On Purim, Rabbi Sholom Reindorp, director of Jewish Incarcerated Family Services (JIFS), a Chabad of Maryland organization, mobilized a team of volunteers to spread a sense of joy and community to Jews in confinement all across Maryland.Splitting into four teams, the 8 volunteers departed Baltimore early Purim morning to embark on their remarkable journey. Their stops included state prisons, county detention centers, psychiatric hospitals, juvenile detention centers, and rehab centers, with back-to-back Megillah readings from morning all the way up until sunset.Abby H., in Maryland Correctional Institute for Women, whose journey back to Judaism strengthens with each passing day, shared her appreciation: “Thank you for sending great people t...
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Model KRFF577KPS: KitchenAid Freestanding French Door Refrigerator
The United States' top general said on Thursday that Israel had not received every weapon that it has asked for, in part because President Joe Biden's administration was not willing to provide at least some of them.
Washington gives $3.8 billion in annual military assistance to Israel, its longtime ally. The United States has been rushing air defenses and munitions to Israel, but some Democrats and Arab American groups have criticized the Biden administration's steadfast support of Israel, which they say provides it with a sense of impunity.
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"Some of that is because they&...
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Thabet was Hamas's head of human resources and supplies. He was eliminated by soldiers from the Navy's Shayetet 13 commando unit.
"Thabet was in the top ten of Hamas, close to Sinwar, Daf, and Issa," noted Hagari who added that the terrorist was killed during the operation at the Shifa Hospital when he, along with two other terrorists, tried to escape from the IDF soldiers into the medical institution.
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"There were 1,250 people in Shifa Hospital, including 900 suspects...
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Baltimore, MD – Mar. 28, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avigdor Neuberger & Ahuva Alyeshmerni on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Meir & Racheli Neuberger and Daniel & Yael Alyeshmerni and grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Yaakov Neuberger and Mr. & Mrs. Rachamim Alyeshmerni
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
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