World Health Organization, WHO, has warned against the consuming food items stored in the refrigerator four hours after power outage.
The body said foods exposed to temperatures above 5 °C (41 °F) for over two hours can become unsafe to eat.
This was disclosed in a series of messages posted in the organization’s X.com in commemoration of the 2024 World Food Safety Day. The theme for this year was tagged, ‘Food safety: prepare for the unexpected’.
The World Food Safety Day, which is celebrated annually on June 7 was established by the United Nations General Assembly task force in 2018. The aim of the Day is to raise awareness and encourage efforts to prevent, detect and address public health risks linked to unsafe food.
Some of the messages by the organization read, “If there has been a power outage in your area, refrigerated or frozen food may not be safe to eat. Products can become unsafe if they have been exposed to temperatures above 5 °C for more than two hours.
“After four hours of a power cut, the following apply: Throw out all perishable foods in your fridge. Such as meat, poultry, fish, and leftovers.
“Throw out all items in your freezer once they have thawed. Or cook them immediately, if they have been exposed to ambient temperature for more than two hours. Never eat food to determine if it is safe. If in doubt, throw it away,” WHO warned.
For those living in areas prone to power outages, the WHO recommends keeping a supply of pre-packaged. They can as well keep ready-to-eat, and canned foods, as well as bottled water.
“In case you live in areas prone to power outages, always keep a stock of pre-packaged. You can also keep ready to eat and canned food. As well as bottled water for an emergency situation. Undamaged canned goods and commercial glass jars of food are likely to be safe.
WHO advised, “If possible, containers should be sanitized before opening them for use. Discard canned foods with broken seams, serious dents, or leaks; and jars with.”
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