{"id":9034,"date":"2021-07-13T11:26:17","date_gmt":"2021-07-13T15:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.greatflorida.com\/?p=9034"},"modified":"2026-07-06T18:48:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T22:48:04","slug":"food-safety-during-a-power-outage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/2021\/food-safety-during-a-power-outage\/","title":{"rendered":"Food Safety During a Power Outage"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- gf-reformat:v1 --><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe leading cause of power outages in Florida is natural disasters,\u201d says <a _blank=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dustyns\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a>, Florida\u2019s leading independent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/florida-homeowners-insurance\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">homeowners insurance<\/a> provider. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssl.noaa.gov\/education\/svrwx101\/lightning\/faq\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/a>, NOAA reports that thunderstorms and lightning are the most common natural hazards in Florida.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Department of Energy<\/a> along with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/sites\/prod\/files\/2015\/05\/f22\/FL-Energy%20Sector%20Risk%20Profile.pdf\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">State of Florida<\/a> created a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/sites\/prod\/files\/2015\/05\/f22\/FL-Energy%20Sector%20Risk%20Profile.pdf\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">State of Florida Energy Sector Risk Profile<\/a> to assess the risks associated with power outages in Florida. They found August was the month with the greatest number of power outages across the state with the average outage lasting 65.5 hours.<\/p>\n<div class=\"gf-takeaways\"><p class=\"gf-takeaways__title\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Your fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours after power loss.<\/li><li>Throw out meat, dairy, and leftovers if kept above 40F for over 2 hours.<\/li><li>A full freezer stays cold for 48 hours, half-full for 24 hours.<\/li><li>Never taste food to determine if it is safe after a power outage.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"gf-cta gf-cta-top\"><span class=\"gf-cta__lead\">Shopping for Florida Homeowners Insurance?<\/span><a class=\"gf-cta__button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=cta&#038;utm_campaign=food-safety-during-a-power-outage&#038;utm_content=top\">Get a Free Quote<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/USDA-infographic-power-outage-flood-safety.jpg\"><img alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9042 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/USDA-infographic-power-outage-flood-safety.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"208\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 338px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 338\/208;\" width=\"338\"\/><\/a><figcaption>https:\/\/www.foodsafetynews.com\/2017\/05\/usda-advises-flood-victims-when-in-doubt-throw-it-out\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>So, what happens to your food when you lose electricity? The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports your refrigerator will keep food safe for 4 hours during a power outage.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome food will fare better than others, says <a _blank=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dustyns\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a>, Florida\u2019s top independent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/florida-homeowners-insurance\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">homeowners insurance<\/a> agency.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodsafety.gov\/food-safety-charts\/food-safety-during-power-outage\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Foodsafety.gov<\/a> has the following recommendations:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers discard after 2 hours above 40 degrees Fahrenheit without power. The same goes for opened baby formula, soft and shredded cheeses as well as milk, cream, sour cream and yogurt.<\/li>\n<li>After 2 hours above 40 degrees also toss fresh cut fruit, shredded coconut, egg products and custards or puddings.<\/li>\n<li>If above 50 degrees for more than 8 hours pitch mayonnaise and cream-based dressings, opened spaghetti sauce, refrigerator biscuits, rolls and cookie dough, pasta salads, pasta, and packaged, cooked or cut vegetables.<\/li>\n<li>Toss any food that has an unusual color, odor or texture or feels warm to the touch.<\/li>\n<li>Frozen food in your freezer completely or partially thawed may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals.<\/li>\n<li>Keep the refrigerator and freezer door closed as much as possible. A closed refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours.<\/li>\n<li>A full freezer will stay cold for about 48 hours, 24 hours if it is half-full.<\/li>\n<li>Never taste food to determine its safety!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Power outages can cause all kinds of problems. Make sure your home and belongings are secure with dependable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/florida-homeowners-insurance\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">homeowners insurance<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1.jpg\"><img alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-521 lazyload\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-300x37.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-150x19.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-696x86.jpg 696w\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"90\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-300x37.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-150x19.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-696x86.jpg 696w\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 728px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 728\/90;\" width=\"728\"\/><\/a><figcaption>https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/florida-homeowners-insurance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gf-cta gf-cta-end\"><p class=\"gf-cta__headline\">Ready to save on Florida Homeowners Insurance?<\/p><p class=\"gf-cta__sub\">GreatFlorida Insurance Agents compare rates from Florida's best carriers for you.<\/p><a class=\"gf-cta__button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=cta&#038;utm_campaign=food-safety-during-a-power-outage&#038;utm_content=end\">Get a Free Quote<\/a><p class=\"gf-cta__phone-line\">Or call <a href=\"tel:8884787801\" class=\"gf-cta__phone\">888.478.7801<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cThe leading cause of power outages in Florida is natural disasters,\u201d says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida\u2019s leading independent homeowners insurance provider. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA reports that thunderstorms and lightning are the most common natural hazards in Florida. The U.S. Department of Energy along with the State of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1219,"featured_media":9040,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,30,1,10,13,8,82,89,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-homeowners-insurance","category-flood-insurance","category-floridainsurance","category-florida-insurance-industry","category-healthcare-insurance","category-renters-insurance","category-rv-insurance","category-travel-insurance","category-umbrella-insurance"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9034","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1219"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9034"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9034\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14777,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9034\/revisions\/14777"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9034"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9034"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}