How long can you leave food in the refrigerator after the power is off?

Question

How long can you leave food in the refrigerator after the power is off?

Answer 1

As long as you like...just don't eat it after 8 hours

Answer 2

Four hours if fridge stays closed-

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsdisas.ht...

Answer 3

about 30 min.-1hour

Answer 4

What you really need to be concerned about is what temperature your fridge is going to reach. Most refrigerators cool down to about 34 degrees.

Now, the dangerous area for any food is between 40 and 140 degrees. In that range, bacteria is able to survive/flourish which, in turn allows your food to rot at a more rapid pace.

This is a known fact that all restaurants and anyone else dealing with fresh food must adhere to.

In the end, I wouldnt allow it to be off for more than 30 minutes to an hour without risk of spoilage/sickness

Answer 5

It depends on what food it is, how cold your refrigerator is, how many times you have opened it, what the room temperature is, etc.  

You can get a cooler and fill it with ice  and put the stuff you want to keep for a day in it like the milk and eggs and meat.  If you change the ice every day, you will be okay with those things.

However, things like mayonnaise will just have to be pitched if you don't keep them in a working refrigerator.

It is better to trash the food than to get food poisoning and a hospital bill.  

Why is your power off?  Are you in a flooded area?  Did you not pay your bill?  Is your refrigerator broken?  

If your refrigerator is broken and you have a Sears warranty, they will sometimes pay you a check for food spoilage.  

If your power is turned off and they will be turning it on in a day, maybe you have a neighbor who would let you use an extension cord and some of her electricity (which you could pay some money back to her) to keep your frig running.

If you are in a flood zone, I am so sorry... and know that people around the country are praying for you.

Don't risk your health over food that has not been refrigerated unless it is bread or fruit or vegetables.