Food Safety Tips as Tropical Storm Isaac Intensifies

Food Safety Preparation Tips as Tropical Storm Isaac Intensifies in Gulf of Mexico

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Steps to follow after a weather emergency:

Check the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer. If the thermometer reads 40º F or below, the food is safe.
If no thermometer was used in the freezer, check each package. If food still contains ice crystals or is at 40º F or below when checked with a food thermometer, it may be safely refrozen.
Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items) that have been kept in a refrigerator or freezer above 40º F for two hours or more.
Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water. Containers that are not waterproof include those with screw caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped caps. Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers.
Thoroughly wash all metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils that came in contact with flood water with hot soapy water and sanitize by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.
Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all metal cans and retort pouches (for example, flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches) can be saved. Follow the www.fsis.usda.gov in the publication "Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency" at www.fsis.usda.gov
Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters. If bottled water is not available, tap water can be boiled for safety.
Never taste food to determine its safety!
When in Doubt, throw it out!

An FSIS Public Service Announcement (PSA) illustrating practical food safety recommendations for handling and consuming foods stored in refrigerators and freezers during and after a power outage is available in 30 and 60 second versions at www.fsis.usda.gov/news/Food_Safety_PSA. News organizations and power companies can obtain hard copy (Beta and DVD) versions of the PSA by contacting FSIS Food Safety Education Staff at 301.344.4757.

Videos about food safety during power outages are available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language on FSIS YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/USDAFoodSafety. Podcasts regarding food safety during severe weather, power outages, and flooding are available English and Spanish on FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day atAskKaren.gov or Mobile AskKaren.gov on your smartphone. Mobile Ask Karen can also be downloaded from the Android and iTunes app store.

Consumers can email, chat with a live representative, or call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline directly from the app. To use these features on the app, simply choose "Contact Us" from the menu. The live chat option and the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1.888.MPHotline (1.888.674.6854), are available in English and Spanish from l0 am to 4 pm edt, Monday through Friday.

Here is a list of federally recognized American Indian tribes in the four states that are on the Gulf of Mexico.

Alabama

Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Alabama

Florida

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida

Seminole Tribe of Florida
Dania Reservation
Big Cypress Reservation
Brighton Reservation
Hollywood Reservation
Tampa Reservation

Louisiana

Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana

Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana

Jena Band of Choctaw Indians

Tunica - Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana

Mississippi

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

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posted August 27, 2012 7:20 am edt

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Food Safety Preparation Tips as Tropical Storm Isaac Intensifies in Gulf of Mexico

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