Aesan aconseja desechar alimentos perecederos después de parada de luz

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (Aesan) has released a set of recommendations on Tuesday regarding the storage of food in refrigerators and freezers after a power outage, including the disposal of perishable items such as meat, chicken, eggs, milk, fresh cheese, or leftovers if the outage lasts for more than 4 hours.

According to the document compiled by Europa Press, the agency explains that as a result of the power outage, some foods can break down and spoil. Therefore, it recommends evaluating each food item separately following a series of guidelines.

Firstly, it is advised never to taste a food item to determine its safety, or rely on its appearance or smell. The agency emphasizes the importance of knowing the temperature at which each type of food has been maintained based on the refrigerator’s cooling capacity. The longer the power outage, the higher the risk of food reaching unsafe temperatures.

If the refrigerator or freezer doors have been kept closed during the outage and the temperature has been maintained below 5ºC for less than 4 hours, there might not be a need to discard any food items.

However, if the power outage exceeds 4 hours and the temperature rises above 5ºC, perishable items such as meat, chicken, eggs, milk, fresh cheese, or leftovers should be thrown away.

Aesan warns that perishable foods can cause illness even if cooked at appropriate temperatures if they have not been stored or frozen correctly. They can also be a source of cross-contamination for other foods.

Whole fruits and vegetables can tolerate higher temperatures and may still be consumed if they remain in good condition and are washed following standard procedures. However, cut fruits and prepared vegetables should be discarded like other perishable items.

Non-perishable items like soft drinks, canned goods, alcoholic beverages, or chocolate that are usually stored in the refrigerator can be kept outside and consumed without any issues.

Freezers can maintain freezing temperatures for at least 24 to 48 hours if left unopened. Food can still be consumed if it has not completely thawed and retains ice crystals on its surface.

In situations where the power outage is prolonged, it is crucial to check if food items have thawed completely. If they have not thawed and have been kept below 5ºC, they can be consumed within the day. However, if you are unsure about the status of the food, it is recommended to discard it, especially if it does not feel cold to the touch.

FUENTE