How long does food last in the fridge after a power outage?

A brief power outage does not cause refrigerator problems. However, when the power outage lasts for long hours, we wonder how long our food resists inside the fridge.

In this context, power outages that last for a long time can cause problems, as the lack of refrigeration contributes to the proliferation of bacteria. But how long do these bacteria proliferate?

See more at: 7 foods you should NOT store in the fridge

How long do foods last in the fridge when turned off?

The ideal temperature of a refrigerator is 4º C and that of a freezer, 0º C or lower. This temperature is essential to keep food free of bacteria and well preserved.

If there is a power outage in your home, it is important to have a thermometer to measure the temperature of the refrigerator to check that the food is safe. However, if they start to smell after many hours, it is recommended to throw them away.

Meat, milk, cheese and yogurt are the most sensitive to high temperatures, so it is necessary to be more careful with these foods in the absence of energy. It is also recommended to avoid opening the refrigerator when there is a power outage, to avoid heat exchange with the environment.

How to preserve food in the fridge?

If your city's power company warns you of a possible power outage, you can take steps to prevent your food from spoiling. According to the New York State Department of Health, one good deed in those times when energy disruption happens is to put all the meats together in a kind of igloo inside a canister. Thus, if they start to thaw, the liquid that drips from them will not come into contact with other foods.

Foods such as bread and water, because they contain less fat, defrost faster than milk, cheese and derivatives. If the power outage lasts for many days, it is recommended to buy ice and put it in the refrigerator to preserve food.