Do I need to throw away all my food?

Question

My fridge broke and wasn't working for 4 days. I cleaned it out and threw away all the dairy and fresh veggies. Do I need to throw away everything, like jam and lemon juice?

Answer 1

You can use jam and lemon juice, all sauces, and cans/jars (those you didn't open).

Answer 2

You didn't need to throw away the veggies they would keep several days on the counter till you can cook them.  

The jam should be ok too, sometimes I leave it out.

Lemon juice will get moldy in a couple days.

Mustard will be ok.

Ketchup toss.

Cook up as much of it as you can, it will kill the bacteria.

Answer 3

NAN is right, it will kill the bacteria, but it cannot kill the toxins that the bacteria produce (waste matter, yuk! That can make you even sicker than the bacteria itself. High salt and/or vinegar products hold up better, but I would ditch it all. Better not to chance.

Answer 4

no jams and bread and stuff should be fine

Answer 5

nope

Answer 6

Almost evrything should go, yes.  You can probably hang on to stuff like pickles, mustards, and ketchup.  I think I'd pitch the jam and lemon juice, too.

Answer 7

Jennifer,

Yes you need to toss out all food that require refridgeration. You do not have to send it all to the landfill though. If you have a garden you can compost the eggs, vegetables, milk, and juices.

Answer 8

To be on the safe side, I would toss everything. Bacteria grow at an alarming rate (double) after high protein food had been between the temperatures of 41-135' F for more than 4 hours. 24hours X 4 days...do the math. It's a recipe for food born illness.

Answer 9

the lemon juice maybe the jam no if u have a close neighbor u could store it there but my grandmother keeps her jelly in her food closet so i guess u could leave it out