Frozen power lines with several icicles
Photo from flickr by vgm8383. Photo has been resized and cropped.

Food Safety During a Power Outage

October 30, 2023 Food Safety, Spoonful

— By Beth Calder, PhD Extension Food Science Specialist, Professor of Food Science, UMaine School of Food and Agriculture

In the event of inclement weather, we have to be prepared to face a power outage at any time in Maine. What is recommended when you experience a power outage and how safe is it to hold perishable foods in the refrigerator? How do we take care of food items that start to thaw in the freezer, especially if we do not have access to a generator? We have several resources offered through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to help keep you and your family informed and safe for any possible risks of foodborne illness when the power goes out.

For more information, refer to the following University of Maine Cooperative Extension publications and video for more detailed information about how to keep your food safe during a power outage:

An additional tip is to invest in an insulated cooler to hold perishable items on ice if you do not have access to a generator during the event of a prolonged power outage. In winter months when temperatures remain at 40° F or below, ice is not needed, and the food can be placed outside of the house into a clean, insulated cooler, which is more sanitary than placing items directly ointo the snow.

Be sure to review all of the helpful links provided in the resource section of this blog post below.

Resources