Easy methods to keep away from spoiled meals throughout an influence outage

A model of this story was initially printed in October 2017.
As Hurricane Lee passes by way of Maine on Saturday, some residents will invariably lose energy. Meals uncovered to hotter temperatures when fridges and freezers lose energy can rapidly change into harmful sources of bacterial an infection.
To keep away from meals borne sicknesses, The Maine Heart for Illness Management and Prevention gives these suggestions:
—Monitor the temperature of fridges and freezers and discard any perishable meals or beverage that has been above 40 levels Fahrenheit for 2 hours or extra. Throw out any meals that has an uncommon odor, shade or texture.
— Depart the freezer door closed throughout an influence outage to assist hold frozen meals protected for about two days, or sooner or later if the freezer is barely half full. Including ice or dry ice can assist hold meals colder longer. As soon as energy is restored, it’s protected to refreeze thawed meals that also comprise ice crystals or that really feel chilly and stable to the contact.
— Depart the fridge door shut as a lot as doable. Refrigerated gadgets must be protected so long as they’re saved cool and the ability is out not more than about 4 to 6 hours. Don’t style a meals to see if it has spoiled. Do not forget that some meals could look and odor advantageous, but when they’ve been at room temperature longer than two hours, micro organism can multiply quickly. Cooking could not make a meals that has developed poisonous micro organism protected.
— Use good kitchen hygiene to stop food-borne sicknesses. Wash fingers continuously with heat water and cleaning soap or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if water is in brief provide. Hold counter tops, knives and utensils clear, particularly when dealing with uncooked meats.
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