Plus, expert tips on saving your precious food when the power goes out
We’ve all experienced that dreaded moment when the power goes out, followed by the sobering realization that all the food in the fridge may be the next to go. This raises the question: How long can food last in the fridge without power?
It’s an increasingly important topic. The Department of Energy recently reported that weather-related power outages in the United States have increased nearly 80% since 2011. Intense thunderstorms and hurricanes in the summer and snowstorms and downed power lines in the winter are straining our power grids, and outages can be inconvenient at best … and deadly at worst.
In addition to that, groceries are only getting more expensive. You definitely want to save as much food as you can during a power outage, whether it’s the milk and eggs you just picked up or the chicken you bought in bulk and froze. But it’s still essential to practice proper safety measures to avoid food poisoning.
“During a power outage, food safety becomes a critical concern, as the risk of spoilage increases the longer perishable items are kept at unsafe temperatures,” says Lawrence Goodridge, a food safety expert and professor at the University of Guelph. Read on to find out how long food can last in the fridge without power (regardless of sell-by dates), and why stocking up on nonperishable foods and organizing your fridge properly are incredibly important too.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more safety, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
How long can food last in the fridge without power?
As long as food is kept at the proper temperature, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it can be stored in a refrigerator for up to four hours, provided the fridge remains closed (more on that later). Temperature is the most important predictor, as perishable foods can start to spoil or develop pathogenic bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella faster than you think.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), bacteria grow most rapidly between temperatures of 40 degrees and 140 degrees, the so-called “danger zone.” Some of these microorganisms can double in number in as little as 20 minutes! Luckily, the FSIS says a refrigerator set at 40 degrees or below will protect most foods.
How long can food last in the freezer without power?
It depends on how full it is. The more frozen items inside, the more they will regulate the cold temperature and be less likely to thaw. Generally speaking, though, a good rule of thumb is 48 hours in a full freezer without power, or 24 hours in a half-full freezer.
Deciding what to keep and what to discard can be tricky. In general, Goodridge recommends keeping frozen foods that have remained frozen after the power outage. Raw meat should be wrapped securely, especially in the freezer, to prevent leakage and cross-contamination as it thaws. For cooked meat, it is also important to follow proper meat storage guidelines. But if the frozen meat has thawed (even if it still feels cold), toss it.
Visual cues, such as unusual color or odor, are telltale signs that frozen food has gone bad. However, don’t rely strictly on these, as bacteria can be deceiving. “Food can look, smell and even taste completely normal and still make someone sick,” says Goodridge, adding that harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria can cause illness even in very small amounts. “Therefore, food should never be tasted to determine if it’s safe. When in doubt, throw it out.”
Do some foods last longer than others?
Absolutely! Certain foods last longer in the fridge due to their natural acidity and preservative properties. These include:
- Hard cheese: If you’ve ever wondered why hard cheeses like cheddar, Swiss and Parmesan are often used for charcuterie boards, this is why. They have a low moisture content, which makes them more resistant to bacterial growth.
- Acidic foods: If you’re into acidic foods, you’re in luck. Foods like pickles, mustard, ketchup, vinegar-based dressings and fruit juices last longer due to their natural acidity or preservative properties, says Goodridge. “The low pH levels help prevent bacterial growth.”
- Preserved and fermented foods: There’s a good chance you already store jams, jellies, marmalades and peanut butter in the pantry. However, if you keep them in the fridge, rest assured that they will remain safe during a power outage. Goodridge says that they contain sugar or salt that act as natural preservatives.
- Uncut fresh fruits and vegetables: According to Goodridge, uncut produce is less susceptible to spoilage, as its intact skins serve as a barrier against bacteria.
- Baked goods and dry foods: Similar to hard cheese, the low moisture content keeps your favorite bread, muffins, cookies and dried fruits safe for longer.
- Shelf-stable items: Any unopened canned goods or products typically stored at room temperature are safe to consume.
What foods should you throw out after a power outage?
Now that we’ve answered which foods last longer than others without power, you may be wondering what foods should be tossed in the bin. This runs the gamut from meats and cheeses to even opened condiments.
Foods high in protein and moisture
Meat, eggs, milk and soft cheese are all kitchen staples found in many fridges. But unfortunately, they’re also the food that spoils the quickest due to their high protein and moisture content. These “create ideal conditions for bacterial growth,” says Goodridge.
If your fridge has been without power for more than four hours, he recommends tossing raw and cooked meats, eggs and dairy products. This includes eggs and egg-based dishes, such as quiches, custards and mayonnaise-based salads. It also includes opened containers of milk, cream, yogurt and soft cheeses.
Cooked items
Leftovers can be a useful way to save time and money throughout the week. But during a power outage? Not so much. According to Goodridge, cooked foods and leftovers, such as casseroles, soups, stews, cooked pasta and rice, are highly perishable. Even sliced produce is at risk.
“Cut fruits and vegetables lose their natural protection once peeled or sliced, making them more vulnerable to spoilage,” he says.
Opened items
Similar to temperature, this is a key factor in spoilage.
“Once a seal is broken, exposure to air and bacteria accelerates degradation, significantly shortening the food’s shelf life—even under cold storage,” cautions Goodridge. Surprisingly, this also includes opened condiments, particularly creamy ones like mayonnaise, tartar sauce and horseradish.
How can you tell that food has gone bad?
With any of these items, you can use a food thermometer to check the temperature of each food item individually to see if it’s higher than 40 degrees. Similar to frozen foods, you can also rely on visual cues to determine if a food has gone bad. For example, check eggs for sliminess, a powdery residue or, when you crack them open, a sulfurous or tangy smell.
It’s easy to tell if milk has gone bad, so be sure to smell it before pouring it into your cereal or coffee. Plant-based milks also go bad, but it’s harder to tell if your favorite oat milk or almond milk is spoiled just by smelling it. Pour a little bit into a separate container; spoiled plant-based milk tends to have a chunky, uneven consistency.
How do you prep your fridge for a power outage?
An ounce of preparation is truly worth a pound of cure. If you know inclement weather is coming your way, the CDC advises stocking up on ice or making your own by freezing containers of water. Storing these in your freezer will prolong the time a fridge stays cold without power. Additionally, fill up coolers with ice and freezer packs beforehand, just in case you need to relocate the food in the fridge.
It’s also crucial to prep the fridge and freezer themselves. Avoid storing milk and eggs in the refrigerator door, where the temperature is more likely to fluctuate; instead, place them on a shelf with a more consistent temperature. Additionally, keep thermometers in both the fridge and freezer—after all, you won’t be able to read your appliance’s normally handy temperature gauges if the power’s out. The FSIS says that the proper refrigerator temperature should be 40 degrees or below, and the right freezer temperature should be 0 degrees or below.
Finally, stock up on nonperishables like canned tuna, dried beans, peanut butter, pasta and nuts, as well as jugs of water, so that you can avoid opening the fridge to grab food when you or your family start getting hungry.
How do you keep your fridge (and freezer) cold without power?
Once the power has already gone out, the biggest tip is to keep the doors shut, no matter how tempting it is to open them! Refrigerators are built to be insulated; whenever you open the fridge or freezer, cold air molecules rush out while warm air molecules rush in, and the temperature rises significantly.
However, if you didn’t prep your fridge beforehand, use ice to extend the life of your frozen perishable goods. You can do so in one of two ways, according to Goodridge. One option is to place ice in the freezer to maintain cold temperatures, or two, to transfer items to a well-insulated cooler packed with ice. “This can help keep foods at a safe temperature until power is restored,” he says.
And while it may seem logical to put food outside during a snowstorm, the FSIS actually advises against this. Why? Outside temperatures can fluctuate, and your food can also be exposed to humidity and sunlight, other unsanitary conditions and animals.
If the power is still not back on after four hours, and you notice the temperature in your fridge starts creeping higher than 40 degrees, you can always light some candles, throw a mini-blackout party and cook a feast while you can—as long as your food is still safe to eat, of course.
About the expert
|
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on how long can food last in fridge without power, Sarah Jinee Park tapped her experience as a journalist to make sure all information is accurate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Lawrence Goodridge, PhD, food safety expert and professor at the University of Guelph; interviewed September 2025
- Energy.gov: “Keeping the Lights On in Our Neighborhoods During Power Outages”
- Climate Central: “Power OFF: Extreme Weather and Power Outages”
- CDC: “Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency Safety”
- FSIS: “Avoid Foodborne Illness During Temporary Power Outages”
- FSIS: “Refrigeration & Food Safety”
- FoodSafety.gov: “Food Safety During Power Outage”
- FSIS: “USDA Offers Food Safety Tips for Areas Affected by Winter Storms”
