Hasting and Prince Edward Counties/March 31,2025
As power outages continue to impact residents and businesses in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, South East Health Unit (formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health) is stressing the importance of following food safety guidelines to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.
Information for how to keep safe during a power outage is available in the Public Health Advisory from March 28, 2025.
If you operate a restaurant or other food premises, food safety guidelines are available on the public health website.
After the Power Returns:
- Check the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer: Any food that was stored at or above 4C for two hours or more should be thrown out. If frozen food has thawed and risen above 4°C it should be discarded.
- Monitor temperatures: If you have a thermometer in your refrigerator or freezer, check the temperature. Food should be kept at 4°C or below in the refrigerator and 0°C or below in the freezer.
- Examine each food item carefully: Squeeze the frozen food. If you hear the crunch of ice crystals then it is only partially thawed and can be refrozen. Look for signs of spoilage, such as unusual odor, colour, or texture. Click here for a list of what to save/throw away.
- Clean and sanitize: After discarding any spoiled food, clean and sanitize the interior of your refrigerator and freezer with a solution of 2.5 ml of bleach per litre of water. If any food comes in contact with raw meat juices it should be thrown out. You can help prevent this by storing raw meats separate and below other foods.
- When in doubt, throw it out: Do not risk consuming food that may be unsafe.
Specific Food Safety Concerns:
- Meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs: Discard if they have been above 4°C for more than two hours.
- Dairy products: Milk, yogurt, and soft cheeses should be discarded if they have been above 4°C for more than two hours. Hard cheeses can be salvaged if they do not have mold.
- Cooked foods: Leftovers, casseroles, and cooked vegetables should be discarded if they have been above 4°C for more than two hours.
- Frozen foods: If frozen foods have thawed and no longer contain ice crystals, or if they have an unusual odor or colour, discard them.
For more information on food safety during and after a power outage, please visit https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/food-safety-at-home/ or https://healthunit.org/wp-content/uploads/Power_Outages.pdf or contact SEHU at 613-966-5500 ext 677.
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Media contacts
Sara Hart, Communications Specialist
hart.sara@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
The South East Health Unit (formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health) is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.
