Health Officials Warn of Food Safety Risks Amid Power Outages

Health officials in the Ohio Valley are urging caution regarding perishable foods during prolonged power outages, recommending the disposal of high-risk items like eggs, meat, poultry, and dairy after four hours without refrigeration, while some condiments may remain safe. For frozen foods, items should be discarded if there are no ice crystals or the freezer is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, especially after 48 hours without power. General food safety advice for summer picnics and barbecues includes washing hands and surfaces, separating raw meats from other items, cooking foods to proper temperatures, and refrigerating perishables within two hours (one hour if it's above 90°F outdoors) to prevent foodborne illness. These precautions are especially important as warm weather increases the risk of foodborne germs.