TL;DR
Get baking supplies delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Food Safety News published guidance on discarding food affected by prolonged power outages or floodwater and handling potentially contaminated water and kitchen items. The advice says not to taste food to judge its safety and to discard items that cannot be cleaned and sanitized.
Food Safety News published recovery guidance on October 9 for households dealing with food exposed to floodwater or prolonged power outages after hurricanes. The recommendations cover when to discard food and drinks, how to handle certain sealed products, and how to clean or discard kitchen items that may have contacted floodwater.
The guidance says never taste food to determine whether it is safe. If a household has been without power for several days, it advises discarding food in the refrigerator and freezer. The report points readers to a separate chart for decisions about specific foods after a prolonged outage; it does not reproduce the chart’s item-by-item recommendations.
For drinking, the report advises using bottled water or other beverages that have not contacted floodwater. It warns that screw caps are not waterproof and says to discard bottled drinks that may have been exposed. Food in packaging that is not waterproof should also be discarded if contact with floodwater is possible. This includes containers with screw caps, snap lids, pull tops or crimped caps.
Food Safety News says undamaged, commercially prepared products in all-metal cans and retort pouches may be salvageable if handled according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service’s consumer guide for severe storms and hurricanes. The report also advises washing metal pans, utensils and ceramic dishes that contacted floodwater with hot, soapy water, rinsing them, then sanitizing them by boiling in clean water or immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of one tablespoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.
Protecting Food and Drinking Water
Floodwater can make food and household items unsafe, while an extended power interruption can put refrigerated and frozen food at risk. The recommendations matter because appearance or taste is not a reliable safety test: following a discard rule rather than sampling questionable food can reduce the chance of illness.
For households whose usual water supply or kitchen has been affected, the guidance also distinguishes between items that may be cleaned and sanitized and those that should be thrown away. Wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers that may have contacted floodwater cannot be saved, according to the report. The article says that when bottled water is unavailable, people should consult instructions on safely boiling or disinfecting water, but it does not provide those steps itself.
Products Worth Considering
Vitamix VX1 Professional-Grade Blender, 64 oz, Black
Vitamix 64 oz Low-Profile Blender Container with SELF-DETECT, BPA-Free
Le Creuset Alpine Outdoor Enameled Cast Iron Square Grill Pan, 10.25 in
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Guidance for Storm-Affected Homes
The October 9 report addresses two specific post-hurricane hazards: prolonged power outages and floodwater exposure. Its advice is presented as practical food-safety guidance rather than a report of a new outbreak, recall or change in government rules. Food Safety News directs readers to USDA FSIS material for further instructions on salvaging eligible packaged foods and treating water.
The report gives a contact route for questions: the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, in English or Spanish. It also lists the email address MPHotline@usda.gov and the Ask USDA live chat service.
“Never taste a food to determine its safety.”
— Food Safety News
Outage and Flood Exposure Details
The report does not specify which individual refrigerated or frozen foods remain safe under particular outage conditions; it refers readers to a separate chart. It also does not provide a local assessment of water quality or say whether a given home’s food or utensils were contaminated. Exposure and safety can vary by household, and the article directs readers to USDA resources for more detailed instructions.
The source material does not identify a specific hurricane, affected area or official emergency order tied to the guidance. It is therefore unclear whether the advice was prompted by a particular storm or published as general recovery information. No outbreak or illness linked to the situations described is reported in the material provided.
Where Households Can Get Advice
People deciding what to keep after a prolonged outage can consult the food-discard chart referenced by Food Safety News and the USDA FSIS severe-storm and hurricane consumer guide. For water-treatment questions, the report advises using USDA guidance on safe boiling or disinfection when bottled water is unavailable.
For direct food-safety questions, the report lists the Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854, available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, as well as MPHotline@usda.gov and Ask USDA live chat. The published guidance does not announce a later update or a specific next milestone.
Key Questions
Should I taste food to see if it is safe after a hurricane?
No. Food Safety News advises people to never taste food to determine its safety. Follow guidance on discarding food affected by a prolonged outage or possible floodwater contact.
What should I do with refrigerator and freezer food after several days without power?
The report advises discarding food in the refrigerator and freezer if power has been out for several days. It points readers to a separate chart for guidance on specific foods.
Can I drink a bottled beverage that may have touched floodwater?
The report says to discard bottled water and other beverages that may have contacted floodwater. It warns that screw caps are not waterproof.
Which kitchen items should be thrown away after floodwater exposure?
Food Safety News says to discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers that may have contacted floodwater. It advises washing and sanitizing metal pans, utensils and ceramic dishes instead.
Source: rss
