Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, SportsExperts Offer Advice to Keep Food Safe During Power Outage

Experts Offer Advice to Keep Food Safe During Power Outage

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BECKLEY -

An extended power outage is much more than an inconvenience, it can lead to illness when it comes to perishable food items.

For some, it could be several days before electricity is restored and experts say that's too long for food that spoils easily.

Erin White, Purchasing Manager for Nutritional Services at Raleigh General Hospital says any food item that requires refrigeration or freezing are considered perishable.

White says when the power goes out, the food in the fridge is good for about 24 hours. She adds that danger zone for bacterial growth is between forty and one hundred forty degrees.

"If it's over forty degrees in your refrigerator or your freezer, you need to cook it and serve it."

White says there is an advantage winter weather has when it comes to preserving perishables.

She says winter temperatures and some coolers could help you keep perishables longer if you pack them in snow.

Again, White says the danger zone for bacterial growth starts at 40 degrees.