Mischer News

Floods, hurricanes and even the loss of power from unexpected high winds or ice can jeopardize the safety of many refrigerated foods. So, knowing how to keep your food safe during one of these emergencies, and how to determine what foods are safe to eat, will help reduce your families risk for food borne illnesses and loss of food.

Just follow these simple tips if the electricity goes out…

• If your food has spent more than two hours over 40 degrees Fahrenheit, don’t eat it. As long as frozen foods still have ice crystals or are still frozen at their core, they are most likely still safe. Once the food reaches room temperature, bacteria begins to forms very quickly, so try to keep the doors closed on your refrigerator and freezer to slow down the defrosting process.
• Even without electricity, most people will still be able to cook or heat food. If you have a gas range or outdoor access to a charcoal grill or propane stove you should consider cooking perishables before they spoil. If you don’t have outdoor access, you should consider keeping a few cans of Sterno Handy: Essentially Heat in a Can. It requires no electricity and can warm up small amounts of food in cookware and can be found at most sporting goods stores.
• Additionally, if you or someone in your family has special needs—for example, you take medication regularly for a condition or you have an infant or handicap child—remember to stock up on their essential, daily care items, too. Keep an extra stash of pre-mixed baby formula and jars of baby food or a 30-day backup supply of your medications, especially during storm season.

Most of us who live along the beautiful Gulf Coast will find ourselves facing the threat of a natural disaster at some point. That’s just why the NSF Disaster Readiness Kit was developed—to help consumers learn how they can become better prepared before any disaster strikes. Visit the NSF website at www.nsf.com/index.asp for more information.

Source: NFP International