USDA CONSUMER ALERT: Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing recommendations to those in the projected track of Hurricane Ike, which could produce severe storms and tornadoes in Texas, as well as other Gulf Coast states. USDA is hopeful this information will help minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages and other problems that are often associated with severe weather events.

“Power outages can occur at any time of the year and it often takes from a few hours to several days for electricity to be restored to residential areas,” said USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Richard Raymond. “Without electricity or a cold source, foods stored in refrigerators and freezers can become unsafe. Bacteria in food grow rapidly at temperatures between 40º and 140° F, and if these foods are consumed, people can become very sick.”

Steps to follow to prepare for a possible weather emergency:

• Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer. An appliance thermometer will indicate the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer in case of a power outage and help determine the safety of the food.
• Make sure the freezer is at 0° F or below and the refrigerator is at 40º F or below.
• Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers after the power is out.
• Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately — this helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
• Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased.
• Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.
• Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours. Purchase or make ice cubes and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.
• Group food together in the freezer — this helps the food stay cold longer.

Steps to follow after the weather emergency:

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
• The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
• Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after four hours without power.
• Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40° F or below when checked with a food thermometer.
• Never taste a food to determine its safety!
• Obtain dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic-foot full freezer for two days.
• If the power has been out for several days, check the temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer. If the appliance thermometer reads 40° F or below, the food is safe to refreeze.
• If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, the food is safe.
• Drink only bottled water if flooding has occurred.
• Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with floodwater. Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers.
• 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 Steps to Salvage All-Metal Cans and Retort Pouches in the publication “Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency” at: www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp.
• 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 (Tbs.) of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.
• When in doubt, throw it out!
• FSIS has available a Public Service Announcement (PSA), available in 30- and 60-second versions, illustrating practical food safety recommendations for handling and consuming foods stored in refrigerators and freezers during, and after, a power outage.

Consumers are encouraged to view the PSA at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Food_Safety_PSA/index.asp.

News organizations and power companies can obtain hard copy (Beta and DVD) versions of the PSA by contacting the Food Safety Education Staff in FSIS’ Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education by calling 301-344-4757.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

Experts provide hurricane preparation guidelines for livestock owners

Experts are encouraging livestock owners to take precautions as Hurricane Ike approaches Texas.

Weather reports indicate Ike could cause severe weather in many counties and associated rains could flood low-lying areas.

“There are several measures that can be carried through in advance to minimize the threat of potential losses to a livestock operation,” said Jason Cleere, Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist.

The following are some guidelines:

Livestock owners with large numbers of animals not capable of being evacuated by trailer should get animals to high ground. Open gates to pastures as cattle and other livestock instinctively seek higher ground.

“Cattle can also be physically driven out of low-lying areas and to higher ground to avoid a flooded area,” Cleere said.

Avoid putting animals in barns or other dwellings due to potential high winds, he said.

“Turn them out into large lots, pens or pasture,” Cleere said. “They can seek cover on their own in brushy areas.”

Livestock owners who own small numbers of animals, which can be evacuated by trailer, should make sure tires are properly inflated and flooring is in good condition.

“Don’t overcrowd the trailer,” Cleere said. “It’s best to leave some behind rather than have one go down and get hurt.”

Prior to leaving the ranch, pick up debris that might become a hazard in the event of high winds, Cleere said. Strap down feeders, trailers and other items that might blow into a barn, home or other dwelling.

Make sure there is adequate feed and water for a couple of weeks.

If there is substantial flooding, cattle could become stranded and forages may be ruined, Cleere said. In such instances, supplemental sources of feed may be necessary.

“Hay is important,” he said. “Basically, hay can be self fed and cattle can sustain on their own for a period of time. Also, think about water sources. Make sure those animals have sufficient sources of good water.”

The Texas Animal Health Commission, the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency, is advising those evacuating for Hurricane Ike to call the state’s ‘2-1-1’ number for information on available facilities for emergency sheltering of livestock.

For further information, “Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock,” an AgriLife Extension bookstore publication, is available in both English (reference number E-166) and Spanish (reference number E-166S) versions at http://agrilifebookstore.org/.

Videos on this topic are available at http://agnews.tamu.edu/issues/hurricane/videoandaudio.php.

Families reminded to include pets in evacuation plan

As Texans anticipate Hurricane Ike, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert said every family with pets should have an evacuation plan that includes them.

“Typically for a family, the first thing on their mind would be their kids,” said Linda Willis-Williams, AgriLife Extension director for Harris County. “But the pet is part of the family as well, so preparation for that pet is critical.”

Willis-Williams said three areas of preparation are essential: identification, supplies and means of transportation. “It’s hard to say exactly what the situation will be like during an evacuation for a disaster, so the key is to have all the pet’s paperwork prepared,” she said.

Willis-Williams offered these suggestions for pet identification:

• Be sure the pet has an identification tag.
• Label all carriers, bags and pet supplies with permanent marker or other method besides a sticker label, which can be removed or fall off.
• Prepare an identification bag that includes the pet’s shot records, current photo and an index card with the owner’s name, address and phone numbers. This card should include the contact information of a neighbor or relative who knows the pet and its owner.
• When gathering pet supplies, include water and food for several days, any medications clearly labeled with their name and instructions, bowls, cleanup supplies, toys or other comfort items.

Whether evacuating on your own or relying on public transportation, the family pet should be ready to travel.

“On your way out the door, get that animal ready,” she said. “Large dogs should be on a leash; small pets, cats and little dogs can be placed in a little carrier.”

Willis-Williams recommended that pet owners let their animal practice going in and coming out of the carrier several times before an actual emergency.

— compiled by Tosha Powell, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.