Tornado Food Safety

In an area sustaining tornado damage, the water supply may be disrupted or contaminated. Food in damaged buildings may be hazardous.

 Drink only approved or chlorinated water.

 Consider all water from well, cisterns and other delivery systems in the disaster area unsafe until tested.

 Check foods and discard any containing particles of glass or slivers of other debris.

 Discard canned foods with broken seams.

As during other types of disasters, electricity to the refrigerator and freezer may be off. Use the "Power Out" chart to decide which foods are safe to use or refreeze when power is restored.

Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator (40°F) and freezer (0°F) at all times to see if food is being stored at a safe temperature.

DISCARD the following foods if kept over 2 hours at above 40°F:

 Meat, poultry, fish, eggs and egg substitutes -- raw or cooked

 Milk, cream, yogurt and soft cheese

 Casseroles, stews or soups

 Lunch meats and hot dogs

 Creamy-based salad dressings

 Custard, chiffon or cheese pies

 Cream-filled pastries

 Refrigerator and cookie doughs

 Discard opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce and horseradish if above 50°F for over 8 hours

SAVE. The following foods should keep at room temperature a few days. Still, discard anything that turns moldy or has an unusual odor.

 Butter or margarine

 Hard and processed cheese

 Fresh fruits and vegetables

 Dried fruits and coconut

 Opened jars of vinegar-based salad dressings, jelly, relish, taco sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard, ketchup, olives and peanut butter.

 Fruit juices

 Fresh herbs and spices

 Fruit pies, bread, rolls and muffins

 Cakes except cream-cheese frosted or cream filled

 Flour and nuts

Refreeze thawed foods that still contain ice crystals or feel cold.

Call Toll-free for More Information: USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1 (800) 535-4555, American Red Cross, Civil Defense or emergency management offices.

Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments cooperating. Oklahoma cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.