How to maintain food safety during power cuts

Being prepared for the worst case scenario in a power cut can help you to maintain food safety, and prevent product wastage for your business. Making the right decisions before, during and after a loss of power is crucial to food safety.

1.       As the power cut happens – Always remember to note the time the power went off, as certain foods can only last for a certain time in an unregulated environment. Stop all cooking operations, and do not put hot food in refrigerators or freezers as it will rapidly raise the temperature of other foods. Dispose of all foods that were in the process of being cooked, but had not yet reached their final cooking temperature.

2.       During the power cut – Remember that refrigerated potentially hazardous foods should be stored below 41°F, frozen foods must remain frozen, and hot cooked potentially hazardous foods should be maintained at 140°F or above. Leave freezer doors closed, as a full freezer should keep food safe for about two days. Food kept in refrigerators should be safe for between four and six hours, but again, leave the door closed.

3.       Once power is restored – Once the power is back on, you should focus on what foods should be discarded, and which can be safely kept. Foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, soft cheese, lunch meats, pastries and pies, and cooked vegetables should all be discarded after being kept at above 41°F for over four hours. Foods that can be kept at room temperature for a couple of days include butter, hard cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, fruit juices, bread, cakes, flour, and nuts.

4.       Finally – Check that the storage units are now at the right temperature, as a power cut could easily reset the system. If necessary, reset your standard guide temperatures to ensure complete food safety.

Ensure that issues over temperature don’t compromise your food safety.

Abacus Guardian wireless temperature monitoring allows you to remotely monitor the temperature of any room, cabinet or storage area. If the temperature drops or rises beyond the parameters that you have set you will automatically be alerted.

Call us today on 01582 52 80 82 for more information.