Protect your perishables: Navigating power outages safely

A temporary loss of electricity can be worrying, especially if we aren't sure how long our refrigerator can function without power. Fortunately, a refrigerator can last longer without electricity than one might expect. However, in the case of prolonged power outages, it's useful to know what steps to take.

A short power outage, such as one lasting up to four hours, should not cause significant harm, and the food in the refrigerator and freezer will still be safe to eat. During a power outage, a closed refrigerator will maintain a temperature of 4°C for about 4-6 hours. Therefore, it is essential not to open the refrigerator doors unnecessarily, as warm air from outside can raise the temperature inside. However, after roughly four hours, there's a risk that perishable products such as dairy, meat, and fish may begin to spoil.

To ensure food safety, the temperature inside the fridge should not exceed 7°C. Food stored at this temperature can become unsafe after just two hours. This particularly applies to products like:

• raw meat, poultry, fish, and seafood,
• cooked meat, poultry, fish, seafood, and soy meat substitutes or any dishes containing them,
• tuna, shrimp, chicken, ham, or egg salads,
• gravy, stuffing, or broth,
• any deli meats,
• hot dogs, bacon, sausage, jerky,
• pizza,
• opened canned meat products,
• casseroles, soups, and stews,
• shredded and low-fat cheeses,
• soft cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese,
• milk, heavy cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk after opening the package, yoghurt, soy milk,
• baby formula after opening the package,
• butter (very low risk),
• shell eggs, liquid egg products, egg dishes, hard-boiled eggs, egg-topped cakes,
• sweet sauces based on milk and eggs as well as puddings,
• sliced fruits,
• unpasteurised fruit juices,
• opened canned fruits,
• fish sauces, oyster sauce,
• creamy salad dressings,
• cooked pasta, rice, or potatoes,
• pasta salads,
• fresh, uncooked pasta,
• cheesecake or any baked goods with filling and topping made from cream or milk- and egg-based sauce,
• pre-sliced, pre-washed, packaged salad,
• cooked vegetables,
• tofu.

On the other hand, food stored in a fully stocked freezer will remain safe for no longer than 48 hours, and in a half-full freezer, it will stay good for no longer than 24 hours. If the power is out for an extended period, it's advisable to move the food to a cooler area, such as the basement. Some items can be cooked using a gas stove, which functions during a power cut. For example, meat can be sautéed, and vegetables can be made into a soup, which helps to limit bacterial growth.