Should you toss food in powerless fridge?

Food and water safety could quickly become a problem across the Rio Grande Valley as thousands of residents continue to cope with power outages and many others deal with standing water in their homes.

During a power failure, refrigerators only stay cold for about four hours and freezers maintain their temperature for only 24 to 48 hours, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What that means for you is that the food in your fridge is no longer safe to eat if you haven't had power for a couple of days, said Mark Keim, senior science adviser at the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"It's safer to throw everything out," Keim said.

The rule of thumb is that if frozen or refrigerated food has been at 40 degrees for more than two hours, it's time to discard it, the FDA says. That includes fresh or frozen meat, poultry, fish, milk products and eggs. If these foods have been kept at 40 degrees or warmer for an extended period, you could get sick even if the food is thoroughly cooked, the agency says.

Even condiments, such as ketchup and mustard, might be unsafe after going unrefrigerated that long, Keim said.

Food kept in the freezer for less than 48 hours during a power outage might be safe to eat, but you must check the packages, the FDA says. You can't rely on odor or appearance - instead, inspect the packages. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees or below, it's safe to refreeze or cook.

If any food has come into contact with floodwater, discard it immediately, experts say. That includes any packages that aren't waterproof, including packages with screw-on lids, snap lids and pull tops.

Throw away cardboard juice boxes, baby-formula containers, wooden cutting boards, baby bottles and pacifiers that might have contacted floodwater, because they can't be effectively decontaminated, the FDA says.

If there's any chance the food might have come into contact with floodwater, experts advise you get rid of it.

As for canned food and pouches, discard any cans that appear to be damaged or have leaks. If the cans are free of damage, remove any labels since these could harbor bacteria. Also wipe away any dirt. Next, thoroughly wash the cans with soap and hot water, if available, and rinse them with potable water.

Finally, either boil the cans for a few minutes or sanitize the cans in a solution of one cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water, the FDA and CDC suggest. Let the cans air dry.

Follow a similar procedure for pots, pans and utensils. Wash countertops with soap and hot water, if available, then rinse and sanitize using 1 tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.

Water safety

Some drinking water also could be contaminated, depending on where you live, said Yvette Salinas, director of Cameron County's Health and Human Services Department. Residents should check with their local water utility to make sure drinking water is safe.

Several water utilities, including water providers in Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito and McAllen, have said their drinking water is safe. But residents in other towns, as well as residents who have septic tanks or live in areas with sewer system problems could have contaminated water.

When in doubt, it's best to take precautions, Keim said. If you're unsure whether your drinking water is safe, either use bottled water or hard-boil your water for three minutes.

If the water is cloudy, let it settle and draw off the clear water for boiling, or filter it through clean cloths, the FDA suggests.

Residents without a way to boil water should disinfect it using bleach. Use eight drops of unscented, liquid bleach per gallon of water. Stir and let stand for 30 minutes before using.

Equally important is making sure you have safe water to wash your hands, Keim said. You should wash your hands regularly with potable water to avoid spreading disease.

If you have a well that has flooded, the water needs to be disinfected and tested for bacteria after once it recedes, the FDA says.

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Melissa McEver covers health and environment issues for Valley Freedom Newspapers. She is based in Harlingen and you can reach her at (956) 430-6252.