Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Henrietta Alexander, as part of her message for World Food Safety Day observed June 7, 2024, said ‘Depending on the intensity of the hurricane, power outages occur which increases the susceptibility of perishable food and that is why it is important that persons know how to prepare.’ Photo: Facebook/File

World Food Safety Day, according to Ms Henrietta Alexander, said the purpose of the day is to draw attention to and being prepared for food safety incidents no matter how mild or severe they can be. Photo: GIS

This is according to Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Henrietta Alexander as part of her message World Food Safety Day observed June 7, 2024, under the theme “Prepare for the Unexpected”.

Ms Alexander said the purpose of the day is to draw attention to and being prepared for food safety incidents no matter how mild or severe they can be.

Food Safety incidents, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) are situations where there is a potential or confirmed health risk associated with food consumption. A food incident can happen, for example, due to accidents, inadequate controls, food fraud or natural events.

Ms Alexander said the following tips can help to protect food during the unpredictable hurricane season:

Before a weather event:

· Shop ahead of time for non-perishable food.

· Look for date marking of goods (expiration, best by (BB) or best before (BBE) dates)

· Examine non-perishable food (canned food) for signs of bloating or denting.

· Purchase an appliance thermometer for refrigerator and freezer. Place the thermometer at the front of the cold storage unit and monitor the temperature. In the refrigerator, the temperature should maintain at 41°F (5°C) or lower. In the freezer, the temperature should be at 0°F (-18°C) or lower.

· Buy ice packs and coolers.

· Make own ice.

· Buy dry or block ice.

· If power will be out for more than 4 hours, do the following:

- relocate perishable food to a cooler of ice

- place perishable food in the freezer.

During a weather event:

· A refrigerator that is kept closed will hold safe temperatures for up to 4 hours.

· A full freezer kept closed will hold at safe temperatures for 48 hours. If the freezer storage is half filled, it will hold for 24 hours.

Ms Alexander said the following tips can help to protect food during the unpredictable hurricane season.

After a weather event:

· Pay attention to the temperature of the cold storage unit with the use of the thermometer.

· If food is in the temperature danger zone and you are in doubt about its safety, throw it out!

· Once the cold storage unit is 41°F [5°C] or lower, the food is deemed safe.

· If cold storage unit is 41°F [5°C] or higher for more than 4 hours, discard foods such as milk-based items, raw meat, seafood or poultry and products like, egg and egg products, opened baby formula, cut fruits, cooked foods such as rice and produce

· Foods to keep: peanut butter, fresh and uncut produce.

· Discard any food that has come into contact with flood water