Food safety during power outages

What to do with cold food when the power goes out

• Food can remain safe in your fridge without power for 2 hours.

• Food stored at more than 5°C for 4 hours or more should be thrown out.

• If you have sufficient space in the freezer, after 2 hours remove foods from the fridge and place them in the freezer OR store in an esky with sufficient ice bricks.

• Avoid opening the freezer or fridge door as this will reduce the time the food can stay chilled or frozen.   

• If your freezer is efficient, and its door seals are in good condition, it can maintain food in a frozen state for between 1 and 2 days.

• If you are unsure about the length of time the power has been out, or temperature your food has been stored out, then throwing the food out is the safest option.

Further tips on what to do during and after a power outage can be found on the Food Safety Information Council’s webpage

When the power goes out