Mark A. McDonnell, RS, MS, Health Commissioner

Robert P. Dillaplain, MD, Medical Director

News Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Shannon R Taylor, Asst. Public Information Officer

September 16, 2008 (937) 374-5669 or 1 (866) 858-3588

Greene County Combined Health District Recommends Proper Food Handling for

Schools and Restaurants after Power Outage

(Xenia, OH) Many schools and restaurants have been affected by the recent loss of power in the community. The Greene County Combined Health District (GCCHD) recommends the following guidelines for schools and restaurants to ensure that food is ready to prepare for consumption:

Check the temperature. If the refrigerator, freezer or cooler has reached 40º F or above for longer than 2 hours, throw the food out. The perishable food can no longer be considered safe to eat. The following table will serve as a guide to food safety. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.

Refrigerated Foods Refrigerated foods that have been exposed to a temperature of 40º F or higher for a period of 2 hours or longer.
Meats, poultry, seafood (including lunch meats, and hot dogs)	Discard
Cheese: Soft	Discard
Cheese: Hard	Safe
Cheese: Processed	Safe
Cheese: Shredded	Discard
Dairy: Milk, cream, yogurt, sour cream	Discard
Butter/margarine	Safe
Eggs (raw, cooked)	Discard
Custard/pudding	Discard
Sauces (ex: tarter sauce, horseradish)	Discard
Fresh fruit, cut	Discard
Fresh fruit, raw/uncut	Safe
Breads	Safe
Rolled dough/pasta	Discard
Fresh vegetables, cut	Discard
Fresh vegetables, raw/uncut	Safe
Salads	Discard

Frozen Foods Frozen foods that have thawed and have been exposed to a temperature of 40º F or higher for over 2 hours.
Meats, poultry, seafood	Discard
Breaded meat products (ex: chicken nuggets, breaded shrimp)	Discard
Casseroles	Discard
Eggs, egg products	Discard
Ice cream	Discard
Cheese: Hard	Refreeze
Cheese: Shredded	Discard
Fruits/fruit juice	Refreeze unless sign of mold/odor
Vegetables/vegetable juice	Discard if temperature reached 40º F or higher for 6 hours or more
Breads	Refreeze
Cakes/pastries	Discard
Frozen waffles/pancakes	Refreeze
Frozen dinners	Discard
Frozen pizza	Discard

If ice crystals have remained and food feels cold, as if it has been refrigerated, food should be safe to refreeze. Although food may be safe to refreeze, it may take away some of the texture/flavor of the food. Items that contain dairy products, such as ice milk/ice cream, should be discarded.

• Fully loaded refrigerators/freezers/coolers will keep food colder longer. A fully loaded free standing freezer may keep foods frozen from 48 to 72 hours. The fully loaded freezer of a side by side refrigerator/freezer may keep foods frozen for approximately 12 hours. The fully loaded freezer of a top or bottom mount refrigerator/freezer may keep foods frozen for approximately 24 hours. These are approximations and can fluctuate tremendously when refrigerator/freezer is opened frequently or has poor insulating factors.

Complete proper and safe disposal of all food items that need to be discarded. Place all items in your regular trash bins. If it will be a period of time before pick up is possible, store the trash only in your trash container not on the ground to discourage rats and animals from scattering the trash. If you have specific questions or need an additional trash pick up; contact your trash provider directly.

For more information contact the Environmental Health Division at (937) 374-5606.

Greene County Combined Health District – Your center for public health services and health information in Greene County for over 80 years.

Healthy People…Healthy Communities

360 Wilson Drive

Xenia, OH 45385

937-374-5600 * 866-858-3588 * Fax 937-374-5675

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