Food Safety FAQ
It is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and refrigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods. However, many of us have specific questions on food safety. Here is some information to help answer those important questions:
Family Food & Fun at Home
Spending more time at home? Looking for easy meals, ways to involve your children in preparing meals and snacks, or how to stay active? Check out these ideas:
Eight Everyday Kitchen Surfaces to Clean and Disinfect
With many people prioritizing clean and disinfected environments, it may be a good time to give your kitchen some well-deserved attention.
FAQ for Gardens, Farm Stands and Farmer's Markets
Resources and FAQ's to answer questions related to community gardens, farm stands and farmer's markets.
Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster or Emergency
If any type of unexpected emergency strikes your community, you may not have access to fresh food, water or electricity for days, maybe weeks. This page will provide you with useful information so you can be prepared when an emergency strikes, and know how to keep your food safe during and after an emergency.
Food Safety During Power Outages
Emergencies can happen, especially with extreme weather conditions. When they do, the best strategy is to already have a plan in place. This includes knowing the proper food safety precautions to take before, during, and after a power outage — and being prepared to safely handle food and water in the event that flooding occurs.
Refrigerated and Frozen Food
As the USDA notes in Keep Your Food Safe During Emergencies, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.
Food Safety and Flood Water
Examine food carefully after a flood. Contamination may occur if floodwaters have covered, dripped on or seeped into the food. Some foods may be protected by their containers. If you have any doubt about the safety of a food, it is always better to throw it out rather than risk disease.