Source: Doug Powell, 785-317-0560, dpowell@k-state.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/powellbio.html
News release prepared by: Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, 785-532-6415, ebarcomb@k-state.edu
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
K-STATE FOOD SAFETY EXPERT SAYS WHEN THE POWER'S OUT, THE OUTDOORS CAN MAKE A SAFE SUBSTITUTE REFRIGERATOR -- IF YOU USE A THERMOMETER
MANHATTAN -- When winter storms knock the lights out, your home's refrigerator goes down, too.
But your household perishable food doesn't have to take a beating, according to a food safety expert at Kansas State University. Doug Powell is the scientific director of the International Food Safety Network and an associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology at K-State.
Powell said that in freezing temperatures, putting your household perishable foods in a cooler and placing them outside is a good substitute for a working refrigerator. Although an improvised refrigerator in your backyard is a good solution for households, Powell said it's not an option for restaurants and other business that serve food to others.
If you decide to put your own food outdoors in a cooler, just remember to monitor the temperature with a digital, tip-sensitive thermometer, he said. Frozen foods will be fine for a couple of days below 32 F. Powell said try to keep refrigerated foods below 40 F.
Keeping raw meats cool is the biggest concern, Powell said.
"My refrigerator had risen to 51 F this morning after 30 hours without power," Powell said. "When in doubt, throw it out."
For more information, visit the International Food Safety Network Web site at http://www.foodsafety.ksu.edu
For recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_121007_01/index.asp