WHO said foods exposed to temperatures above 5 °C (41 °F) for over two hours can become unsafe to eat.
The health organisation gave this warning on Friday in a
series of messages posted on X.com in commemoration of the 2024 World Food
Safety Day themed, ‘Food safety: prepare for the unexpected’.
The World Food Safety Day celebrated annually on June 7 was
established by the United Nations General Assembly task force in 2018 to raise
awareness and encourage efforts to prevent, detect and address public health
risks linked to unsafe food.
“If there has been a power outage in your area, refrigerated
or frozen food may not be safe to eat. Products can become unsafe if they have
been exposed to temperatures above 5 °C for more than two hours.
“After four hours of a power cut, the following apply: Throw
out all perishable foods in your fridge, such as meat, poultry, fish, and
leftovers.
“Throw out all items in your freezer once they have thawed
or cook them immediately, if they have been exposed to ambient temperature for
more than two hours. Never eat food to determine if it is safe. If in doubt,
throw it away,” WHO warned.
For those living in areas prone to power outages, the WHO
recommends keeping a supply of pre-packaged, ready-to-eat, and canned foods, as
well as bottled water.
“In case you live in areas prone to power outages, always
keep a stock of pre-packaged, ready to eat and canned food, as well as bottled
water for an emergency situation. Undamaged canned goods and commercial glass
jars of food are likely to be safe.
“However, if possible, containers should be sanitised before
opening them for use. Discard canned foods with broken seams, serious dents, or
leaks; and jars with,” WHO advised.