The extended power outages mean a lot of food is going to waste. Jenny Barrie, a health educator with the LaSalle County Health Department, says food that should have been refrigerated but warmed up for more than four hours needs to be tossed out. If it’s been kept in a freezer that doesn’t open often, it may last up to 48 hours. She says once it gets above 40 degrees, you have to eat it within four hours or get rid of it to avoid food poisoning.
Barrie says never taste food to find out if it’s spoiled. But definitely pay attention to an unusual appearance, smell, or feel.