Description:
Background/Objectives: Natural disasters, such as hurricanes and ice storms, can cause extended power outages which can endanger the safety of food. Consumers need to be prepared for such emergencies by having food and water available and knowing how to keep food safe. The objective of this study was to learn how Americans prepare for and respond to power outages lasting longer than 24 hours.
Methods: We conducted a nationally representative Web-enabled survey. The survey collected information on respondents' attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding food safety during extended power outages and other emergencies.
Results: In the past 5 years, 30% of respondents experienced an extended power outage, and 81% of respondents reported that they ate food from their refrigerator during or after the power outage. More than half of respondents relied on their senses (e.g., taste, smell), a potentially unsafe practice, to determine whether the food was safe to eat. Only 15% of respondents reported being fully prepared for an extended power outage, and 40% of respondents have a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and water stored for each household member in the event of an emergency. Awareness of specific food safety recommendations varied. Nearly all respondents knew to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain cold temperatures, while only 33% of respondents knew to not eat refrigerated perishable foods after 4 hours without power. The majority of respondents reported that they would likely follow many of the food safety recommendations in a future power outage.
Conclusions/Implications: The survey findings suggest that Americans would benefit from education on food safety during power outages and other emergencies. Public health officials and educators can use the survey findings to address gaps in consumers' knowledge and practices and thus help to reduce foodborne illness. |