Prolonged power outages: What to do with your fridge contents

A temporary loss of electricity can be problematic, especially if we're unsure of how long our fridge can function without power. Fortunately, a refrigerator lasts longer without power than one might expect. However, in the event of prolonged outages, it's helpful to know the proper steps to take.

A brief power outage, lasting up to four hours, typically won't cause significant damage, and the food in both the fridge and freezer will remain safe to eat. During an outage, a closed refrigerator will maintain a temperature of about 4°C for approximately 4-6 hours. This is why it's important not to open the fridge door unnecessarily, as warm air can cause the internal temperature to rise. However, it's essential to know that after about four hours, sensitive items such as dairy, meat, and fish may begin to spoil.

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

• raw meat, poultry, fish, and seafood,
• cooked meat, poultry, fish, seafood, and soy-based meat substitutes, or any dishes containing them,
• tuna, shrimp, chicken, ham, or egg salads,
• gravy, stuffing, or broth,
• 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 and cream cheese,
• milk, heavy cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk after opening, yogurt, soy milk,
• baby formula after opening,
• 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,
• unpasteurized 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 fillings and toppings made from cream or milk- and egg-based sauces,
• pre-sliced, pre-washed, packaged salads,
• cooked vegetables,
• tofu.

Conversely, food stored in a fully stocked freezer will remain safe for up to 48 hours, while in a half-full freezer, it will last up to 24 hours. If the power is out for a longer period, consider moving food to a cooler place, such as a basement. Some items can be cooked using a gas stove, which still works during a power outage. For instance, meat can be sautéed, and vegetables can be turned into soup to limit bacterial growth.