Randy Chandler
Power outages are not only an inconvenience but also a safety issue, especially when it comes to food. Refrigerators and freezers losing power can cause food to spoil and lead to foodborne illnesses. Different types of cheese have varying levels of perishability, and this article will explore whether cheese goes bad after a blackout, taking into account factors such as the type of cheese, the duration of the power outage, and the temperature conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long can a refrigerator keep food safe during a power outage | 4 hours |
| What to do after a power outage | Never taste food to determine its safety |
| Evaluate each item separately | |
| When in doubt, throw it out | |
| Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below | |
| A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours | |
| A half-full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 24 hours | |
| How long cheese can be left out of the fridge | 2 hours |
| 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F (32°C) | |
| 4 hours according to Adam Brock, director of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin | |
| How to store cheese | Wrap tightly in wax paper or parchment paper, then place in a plastic bag or airtight container |
| Store in the egg or vegetable drawer of the fridge | |
| Signs of spoilage in hard and semi-hard cheeses | Unpleasant smell, slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracked areas or mold |
| Signs of spoilage in soft cheeses | Slimy texture, yellowed color, mold, sourness, or a scent of ammonia |
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What You'll Learn
Hard cheeses can be left out for up to four hours
During a power outage, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours, according to the USDA. This includes dairy products like cheese. After this time, perishable food should be discarded.
Hard cheeses, such as Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda, can be left out unrefrigerated for up to four hours and still be safe to eat. These hard cheeses have a lower moisture content, which means they are less likely to promote bacterial growth and can, therefore, be safely left out of the fridge for longer periods.
If hard cheese has been sitting out for four hours or less, it can be rewrapped and returned to the fridge. After four hours, the cheese should be checked for signs of spoilage, such as an unpleasant smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mold. If none of these signs are present, the cheese can be wrapped and returned to the refrigerator. Hard cheeses can be left out for longer than four hours without posing a health risk in most cases, but the taste, quality, and texture may be affected.
It is important to note that the longer hard cheese is left out, the greater the chance of bacterial growth and spoilage. Therefore, it is always best to err on the side of caution and discard any cheese that has been left out for an extended period. Additionally, soft cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, and mozzarella, are more perishable due to their higher moisture content and should be discarded if left unrefrigerated for more than two hours.
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Soft cheeses should be discarded after two hours
Soft cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, Queso Fresco, mozzarella, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and ricotta, have a high moisture content, which creates more opportunities for bacteria to grow. Therefore, they are more perishable than hard cheeses and should be discarded after two hours of sitting out at room temperature.
The U.S. Department of Health states that no perishable food should be kept sitting out of the fridge for more than two hours, and this is especially important for soft cheeses. If the temperature is above 90°F (32°C), this limit is reduced to one hour.
If a soft cheese has been left out for longer than two hours, it is best to throw it away. Soft cheeses that have gone bad may display signs of spoilage, such as a slimy texture, a yellowed colour, mould, sourness, or a scent of ammonia, and should be disposed of immediately.
During a power outage, it is important to keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible. If the power is off for more than two hours, you should begin to monitor the temperature of the refrigerator, ideally keeping it below 40°F (4°C). When the temperature rises above this threshold for more than two hours, perishable foods, including soft cheeses, should be discarded.
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Refrigerators keep food safe for up to four hours during a blackout
During a blackout, refrigerators can keep food safe for up to four hours, according to FoodSafety.gov and the USDA. It's important to keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible during this time. After a four-hour power outage, perishable food in the refrigerator, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers, should be discarded. However, if the power outage is shorter and these foods have been properly refrigerated, they can be safely consumed after reheating to a safe minimum internal temperature, as recommended by the FDA.
To prepare for a power outage, it is advisable to set the refrigerator to the proper temperature beforehand. The ideal temperature range for refrigerators is between 35°F and 38°F. Investing in a refrigerator thermometer is a good idea, as it allows you to monitor the temperature inside your refrigerator at all times. This is crucial information for determining if your food is still safe to consume after a power outage.
To extend the cold temperature in your refrigerator during a power outage, it is recommended to keep the door closed as much as possible. A full refrigerator will also stay colder for a longer duration than an emptier one. Additionally, you can freeze refrigerated items that you don't need right away, such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat, to keep them safe for longer. Grouping food together in the freezer helps maintain lower temperatures for a more extended period.
Regarding cheese specifically, different types of cheese have varying safety considerations during a blackout. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have lower moisture content, making them less susceptible to bacterial growth and able to sit out at room temperature for longer durations. Soft cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, and mozzarella, on the other hand, have higher moisture content and are more perishable. The U.S. Department of Health recommends discarding soft cheeses if left unrefrigerated for more than two hours. Therefore, during a blackout, soft cheeses may not be safe to consume after two hours, while hard cheeses may be safe for up to four hours, depending on the ambient temperature.
In summary, while refrigerators can keep food safe for up to four hours during a blackout, the safety of cheese depends on its type. Soft cheeses are more perishable and should be discarded after two hours without refrigeration, while hard cheeses can often be safely rewrapped and refrigerated after being left out for up to four hours.
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Full freezers maintain safe temperatures for 48 hours without power
A power outage can be a stressful event, especially if it raises concerns about the safety of the food in your freezer. It is a common misconception that food in a freezer will immediately begin to spoil when the power goes out. In reality, a full freezer will maintain safe temperatures for approximately 48 hours without power, provided that the door remains closed. This duration may vary depending on how full the freezer is, with a half-full freezer typically retaining safe temperatures for 24 hours.
During a blackout, the key to preserving the temperature in your freezer is to minimize the escape of cold air. This means keeping the freezer door closed as much as possible. If you anticipate a prolonged power outage, purchasing dry or block ice to place in your freezer can help maintain its temperature. Fifty pounds of dry ice, for instance, should be sufficient to keep an 18-cubic-foot, fully-stocked freezer cold for two days.
Additionally, it is important to be cautious when dealing with perishable foods in your refrigerator during a power outage. Items such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers should be discarded if they have been at a temperature above 40°F (4°C) for more than four hours. To determine the safety of your food, use appliance thermometers or assess each item separately for signs of spoilage, such as an unpleasant smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mould.
After a blackout, if your freezer has maintained a temperature of 40°F (4°C) or below, or if your food still contains ice crystals, it is generally safe to refreeze or cook the food. However, it is crucial to never taste food to determine its safety. If in doubt, it is always better to err on the side of caution and discard the food item.
While cheese can be a delicious part of your diet, it is important to note that it can be perishable, especially soft cheeses with higher moisture content, such as Brie, Camembert, and mozzarella. These cheeses are more susceptible to bacterial growth and should be consumed or discarded within a shorter time frame when left unrefrigerated. Hard cheeses, such as Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda, on the other hand, have lower moisture content and can typically be safely consumed or refrigerated again if they have been left out for four hours or less.
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Signs of spoilage in hard and soft cheeses
The spoilage of cheese depends on several factors, including the type of cheese, storage practices, moisture content, and preservatives. Soft cheeses tend to spoil faster than hard cheeses. Generally, unopened hard cheeses can last up to 6 months in the fridge, while soft cheeses last about 1-2 weeks after opening.
Soft cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, and Queso Fresco, are more perishable than hard cheeses due to their higher moisture content. Signs of spoilage in soft cheeses include visible mould, an unpleasant fermented smell, drastic changes in texture, and a bitter or fizzy taste. If mould is present, it is recommended to discard the entire product.
Hard cheeses, such as Cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan, have lower moisture content and can last longer without spoiling. However, hard cheeses can also spoil, exhibiting signs such as mould, dryness, a yeasty or ammonia smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, cracks, and changes in texture or colour. If there is mould on hard cheese, it is generally safe to cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the mouldy spots and consume the rest. However, if there is red or black mould, discard the entire cheese as these moulds are more dangerous.
In addition to visual and olfactory cues, taste can also be an indicator of spoilage. A bitter or fizzy taste may indicate that the cheese has gone bad. It is important to note that consuming spoiled cheese may lead to food poisoning, so it is better to discard the cheese if you are unsure.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of cheese, how long the blackout lasted, and the temperature. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda can be safely left out at room temperature for up to 4 hours, while soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and mozzarella should be discarded after 2 hours.
The main factors are the type of cheese, the duration of the blackout, and the temperature. Hard cheeses have lower moisture content, making them more resistant to bacterial growth, while soft cheeses have higher moisture content and are more perishable. The longer the cheese is left out at room temperature, and the higher the temperature, the more likely it is for bacteria to grow.
Spoiled hard and semi-hard cheeses may exhibit an unpleasant smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mold. Spoiled soft cheeses may become slimy, turn yellow, develop mold, sour, or emit an ammonia scent. If high-moisture cheese has mold, it should be discarded as it likely has contaminated the entire container.
To prevent cheese from spoiling during a blackout, it is essential to minimize the opening of the refrigerator or freezer door to maintain their chilled temperatures. If the blackout is expected to last for a while, consider transferring perishable items to a cooler with ice or ice packs. Additionally, keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator to monitor the temperature. When it reaches 40°F (4°C), place block ice inside to help keep the temperature stable.
