The state of Oklahoma is warning citizens to be careful about food safety after this week's devastating storms. Severe weather knocked out power to tens of thousands of people living in that state. There are specific steps you can take to assure the safety of your food when the power goes out. Volunteers offering food must make sure that the food is safe and as free of pathogens as possible. Free food or food for sale to residents, responders, and relief workers should not require refrigeration and should be edible without heating. The OSDA says that "packaged, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat foods are the best option when safe refrigeration and cooking are a problem." Environmental specialists from local county health departments will be on site in the storm damaged areas to make sure food … [Read more...]
Food Safety After the Hurricane
Flooding is the main concern after the hurricane in the northeast United States. USA.gov has detailed flood response and recovery information. The USDA and FDA have information for consumers about food safety and getting food to eat after a disaster. Many people are without power after Hurricane Sandy. A freezer will keep food safe for 48 hours only. After that time, the food will start to thaw and will become unsafe. If ice crystals still remain in the food, it is safe to freeze; otherwise discard it. You can also use a thermometer to see if the temperature of the food is below 40 degrees F. If it is, it's safe to consume and/or freeze. When in doubt, throw it out! Do not eat food that has come into contact with flood water. Discard any food not in a waterproof container, such as those … [Read more...]
In Hurricane Sandy’s Path? Get Ready.
Hurricane Sandy is poised to strike the Northeast United States, starting early next week. Start getting ready to protect yourself from this storm. Loss of power can jeopardize the safety of your food. Stock up on canned and shelf stable foods so you have something to eat if the power goes out or you are stranded. Make sure you have enough potable water for each member of the family: at least one gallon of water per person per day. Put thermometers in your fridge and freezer. The USDA has compiled a sheet to help you stay food safe in the storm. Print out their fact sheet "A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes" and keep it in a safe place so you can refer to it as needed. If you do lose power, keep the fridge closed; it will keep food at safe temperatures … [Read more...]
In Isaac’s Path? Get Ready!
The USDA is offering food safety tips for consumers in the path of Tropical Storm Isaac. The storm will most likely be upgraded to a hurricane before it hits the Florida Keys and Tampa Bay area. Power outages and flooding can compromise the safety of stored food. And consumers should plan ahead to have food and water on hand that is safe to eat. USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen said, "storing perishable food at proper temperatures is crucial to food safety but can become difficult if you lose electricity for your refrigerator and freezer. For those living in Tropical Storm Isaac's projected path, we recommend stocking up on canned food [Ed. note: make sure you have a can opener!], bottled water, batteries, and dry ice." The government has compiled a fact sheet … [Read more...]
