Foods

Contaminated Food Items


Foods that are contaminated can make you and your family sick. They should be dealt with in the following manner:
 
  1. Destroy and discard all contaminated bottle and boxed foods.
  2. Canned goods (including home canned jars) may be kept if cleaned thoroughly.
  3. To clean containers:
    1. Scrub with soap and water. (Use a brush around the rim of home canned jars).
    2. Submerge in chlorinated water for 15 minutes (1 ounce of bleach per gallon of water).
  4.  Throw out anything with an unusual color, odor or if a perishable food is above 45 Fahrenheit internally.
  5. Place discarded food in a tightly closed container until pick up or disposal.

After handling contaminated material make sure that all clothing and body parts that came into contact with flood waters and/or sewage are thoroughly washed.  Be sure to wash hands immediately.

Losing Power Due To Flooding

  1. Food stored in a full freezer will keep for 2 days after losing power (1 day for a half-full freezer) if not opened.
  2. If your freezer cannot be started in a day or two, store food in someone else's freezer. 
  3. Meat that has ice crystals may safely be refrozen. If it is only "cool feeling" it is best to cook then refreeze. 
  4. Food stored in a refrigerator will keep for 4 - 6 hours after losing power depending on how warm it is in the kitchen. Do not open the refrigerator unless absolutely necessary. Add ice to the refrigerator if you know it will be turned on soon. 
  5. Throw out anything with an unusual color, odor or if a perishable food is above 45 Fahrenheit internally. 
  6. Place discarded food in a tightly closed container until refuse pick-up day.

After handling contaminated material make sure that all clothing and body parts that came into contact with flood waters and/or sewage are thoroughly washed.  Be sure to wash hands immediately.