Can I let food be tested for spoilage after freezer power outage?
We had a chest freezer filled with beef get disconnected from power for some period of time. Reconnected and refroze the meat. I don't know how long it was without power. Packets of hamburger were soft to the touch. I didn't think to check the temperature so I don't know if it was above 40 degrees but I suspect so.
Are there facilities that will do small batch food testing for pathogens for end consumers?
Best Answer
I seriously doubt it. The expense and complexity of making sure there are NO pathogens in a random sample of food would be significant. And then that would be all you'd have; a statement that the tested sample had no pathogens, but who knows about the rest of the food.
Testing food in a manufacturing plant depends on the commonality of how the food has been treated; if no problems are found in the samples then you can presume no problems will be found in similarly-handled food. In your freezer, though, you may have different packagings done at different times, and when it warmed up, different parts certainly warmed to different temperatures. Finding out if one item is safe would have very little to do with whether the rest of the contents are safe.
There's also the liability of the tester; if they claimed they could tell you if your beef was safe, and then you got food poisoning, they'd be on the hook. I doubt they'd take the risk.
Pictures about "Can I let food be tested for spoilage after freezer power outage?"
Quick Answer about "Can I let food be tested for spoilage after freezer power outage?"
Above all else, "When in doubt, throw it out," the CDC notes. And absolutely do not taste-test anything to see if it's still good. Meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, soft cheeses, shredded cheeses, and milk should all be tossed if their temperature is at 40°F or above for more than two hours, according to FoodSafety.gov.How do you know if food is OK after a power outage?
Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out. Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers) after 4 hours without power or a cold source like dry ice. Throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture.How long does it take for food to spoil in freezer when power goes out?
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.Can food be refrozen after power failure?
Frozen Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out. A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40\xb0F or below, however, its quality may suffer ...How long is food good for in fridge without power?
During a power outage, the CDC recommends keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If the doors are closed, the food will stay safe for up to four hours in the refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer and 24 hours in a half-full freezer.Back Up Power: How to Protect the Food in Your Freezer During a Power Outage
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Kristina Paukshtite, Rachel Claire, Andrea Piacquadio, Antonio Prado