Problems and solutions: Breakdown of home freezer

When a freezer loses power or fails mechanically, keep the door closed as much as possible. A full freezer can generally keep food at a safe temperature for about 48 hours; a half-full freezer for about 24 hours, if the door remains closed.

When power returns, evaluate foods individually. Food that still contains ice crystals or is 40°F (4°C) or below can generally be safely refrozen or cooked, although quality may be reduced.

Discard perishable frozen foods that have been above 40°F for more than 2 hours. Do not rely on appearance or odor to decide whether food is safe, and never taste food as a safety test.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Food Safety During a Power Outage — FoodSafety.gov

A food-by-food chart showing when thawed or partially thawed foods can be saved or should be discarded.

Freezing and Food Safety — USDA FSIS

Includes detailed guidance for freezer failures and power outages.

Are You Storing Food Safely? — FDA

FDA advice on assessing refrigerated and frozen foods after loss of electricity.

Verified by MonsterInsights