New Hampshire health officials are advising people without power to throw out food if there’s any doubt it could have spoiled.
Public Health Director Jose Montero said food that doesn’t smell bad and looks safe may have been outside a safe temperature range long enough to be contaminated by bacteria. He also says people should never taste food to determine if it is safe.
Officials say a refrigerator will keep food safely cold about four hours if the door isn’t opened. A full freezer will hold its temperature for 48 hours – half that time if the freezer is half full. Food can be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at or below 40 degrees.