Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some helpful tips about Hurricane food safety?(9)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; Discard any damaged cans of food. For undamaged, watertight containers of food, remove labels since they may be harboring bacteria, and thoroughly wash packaging with soap and water, using hot water if it’s available. Sanitize cans and sealed pouches by either boiling them in hot water for two minutes or placing them in bleached water (1 tablespoon of liquid bleach per gallon) for 15 minutes.

- Use the same sanitizing process for dishes and pans exposed to floodwaters.

- Thoroughly wash countertops with soap and water, then apply bleached water (1 tablespoon per gallon) to these surfaces.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some helpful tips about Hurricane food safety?(8)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; If you can’t boil water, disinfect it with household bleach, advises FDA. Add 1/8 teaspoon, of regular, unscented liquid household bleach to each gallon of water, and let it stand for 30 minutes before drinking.

- Discard any food that may have come into contact with floodwater if it is not in a sealed, waterproof container. Lids that are not waterproof include screw of snap-tops, pull tops and crimped caps.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some helpful tips about Hurricane food safety?(7)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  Frozen foods will be safe and can be refrozen if the freezer remained at 40 degrees F or below during the power outage. If you don’t have a thermometer, but the food still contains ice crystals, it can be refrozen.

- Wash fruits and vegetables with water from a safe source before eating.

 After Flooding - Drink bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it’s available. If not, heat tap water to a boil before drinking. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, drawing off the clear water for boiling.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some helpful tips about Hurricane food safety?(6)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; When feeding infants, the best is always breast milk but if that is not available. Try to use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water. When using concentrated or powdered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated, says FDA.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some helpful tips about Hurricane food safety?(5)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;   If you do not have an appliance thermometer and your refrigerator remained without power for more than 4 hours or was opened repeatedly before that time, throw out perishable items. Foods that are still safe after being in the refrigerator for more than 2 hours above 40 degrees include hard and processed cheeses, butter or margarine, fruits and fruit juices, raw vegetables, fresh mushrooms, herbs and spices, opened vinegar-based dressings, peanut butter, and condiments such as jelly, relish, taco sauce, Worcestershire, Hoisin, soy and barbecue sauces, mustard, ketchup, olives and pickles. Condiments containing mayonnaise or fish sauce should be thrown out, as should fresh fruits that have been previously cut. For a full list of foods that can be kept or should be discarded see USDA’s Consumer’s Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes 

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some helpful tips about Hurricane food safety?(4)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  The storm may be gone but the aftermath is here. Determining if the food in your frig & freezer is safe to eat is a step forward. If you have an appliance thermometer and determine that the interior temperature of the fridge dropped below 40 degrees F for more than 2 hours, discard any perishable items in it, including meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, eggs, leftovers and deli items. If food remained at the proper temperature, be sure to cook raw meats, poultry and eggs thoroughly to kill any foodborne pathogens that may be on it, advises FDA.