INFORMATION SHEET

FLOODS AND FOOD SAFETY

• Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water.
• Discard any food without a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water.
• Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the can labels, thoroughly wash the cans, and then disinfect them with a solution consisting of one cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water.
• Relabel your cans, including expiration date, with a marker.
• Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with flood water because they cannot be disinfected.
• For infants, use only pre-prepared canned baby formula that requires no added water, rather than powdered formulas prepared with treated water.

Frozen and Refrigerated Foods

• Thawed food can usually be eaten or refrozen if it is still "refrigerator cold," or if it still contains ice crystals.
• To be safe, remember, "When in doubt, throw it out."
• Discard any food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
• Your refrigerator will keep foods cool for about 4 hours without power if it is unopened.

Last Updated: Friday November 03 2006