DOH warns residents to throw out unsafe food after outages

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii Department of Health is urging residents to carefully inspect their refrigerators and freezers following extended power outages caused by Tropical Storm Lala.

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Peter Oshiro, program manager with the Department of Health Food Safety Branch, warned that most perishable foods kept in a refrigerator are only safe for about four to six hours after power is lost.

Officials said meat, dairy, cold cuts, and leftovers should be thrown away if they have been without proper refrigeration for longer than that.

“By now they’re really way past being safe,” Oshiro said.

Freezers can keep food safe longer. Oshiro said a fully packed freezer may maintain safe temperatures for about 48 hours if it remains closed, and food that still contains ice crystals is generally safe to refreeze or cook. Residents can also transfer still-frozen food to coolers packed with enough ice to keep everything cold.

Oshiro said people should not take chances with questionable food, especially in households with young children, kūpuna, or people who are immunocompromised.

“Your health is worth more than a few more dollars to go replenish your food supply,” he said. “Don’t take a chance.”

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Handling food exposed to floodwaters

State health officials said canned or bottled foods exposed to floodwater may be saved if the containers are intact.

Oshiro recommends removing the labels, cleaning the containers, and soaking them for about one minute in a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water before allowing them to air dry.

However, any food packaged in paper, cardboard, or other non-waterproof materials that touched floodwater must be thrown out.

Spoiled or improperly stored food can expose people to dangerous foodborne illnesses, including E. coli and salmonella.

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Health officials’ best advice is if you’re hesitant at all, throw it out.