How safe is food in the fridge/freezer after the power has been off?

Question

After an ice storm this weekend, the power was off for 18 hours. I threw out the milk because it smelled bad, and the only other things in the fridge were apples and mustard (guess I need to go shopping). The items in the freezer were all still cold, and the ice cubes were still solid.

I'm still not sure that the frozen pizza, ice cream, and TV dinners in the freezer are safe. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Freezers are insulated, so the icy temperatures will hold longer than in the fridge. You ice cubes were still frozen, so everything else is fine (don't risk meat or chicken).

As for the fridge, the apples do not need to be refrigerated, nor does the mustard.

Answer 2

I think you worry too much.

Milk, of course can spoil easily.

Apples don't require refrigeration, neither does mustard. Apples should be kept in a cool, dark place, but they can last in a dark cabinet for months. My grand-mother kept apples all year in the cellar, no where near refrigerator temperatures and they lasted all winter, so why throw them out after 18 hours?

Mustard contains vinegar, and should be refrigerated after opening to preserve freshness, but has no problems surviving 18 hours at room temperature. Unless you are talking about some homemade, or special recipe mustard, you worry way too much.

Ice cream will lose flavor if thawed and refrozen. You will be able to tell if ice crystals formed inside that it thawed and refroze. Also, it may taste flat.

As far as everything else goes, as long as it stayed frozen, you are safe. Processed foods, even if thawed partially, are still safe to refreeze one time because of the preservatives, but quality can be affected. I would cook one and smell/taste it, then decide.

The only items I would never refreeze a second time include any seafood product.

Answer 3

the fridge/freezer can keep things well as long as you limit the number of times you open the door (reduce the cold temperature).. if the ice ubes were still frozen, i'd say the dinners probably are still okay...
next time, just throw all your fridged food out into the snow =)

Answer 4

If the frozen stuff didn't thaw... it should be OK. Apples and mustard should be OK, but the stuff that would spoil quickly, like milk, should be tossed.

Answer 5

ice storm lol ice storm equals cold your ice cubes stayed solid that means its ok and everything was sealed your too......its ok k

Answer 6

I THINK THERE IS A 8 HOUR TIME LIMIT BUT ALWAYS KEEPING THE DOOR CLOSE ON THE REFRIDGE WILL STOP YOUR FOOD FROM SPOILING!

Answer 7

I wouldn't eat the apples, but thnk all of the rest of your food that you mentioned should be okay.

Answer 8

umm...its not safe. it actually depends on how long it stays that way. u might want to eat whatever u can, or it will spoil and be wasted.

Answer 9

I'm sure the frozen stuff is probably ok if it didn't thaw....

Answer 10

if i was you i would get raid of the food for it is not safe after the electric has gone .just to be on the safe side please get raid of the food