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\nAs flood victims in Kentucky and Louisville return to their homes to begin the cleanup process, many will have questions about what to do with food that came into contact with floodwaters. <\/p>\n
\nAs flood victims in Kentucky and Louisville return to their homes to begin the cleanup process, many will have questions about what to do with food that came into contact with floodwaters. <\/p>\n
Floodwater can contain raw sewage which carries bacteria, chemicals, and other pollutants that can make your food unsafe to eat. Some food exposed to flooding may be safe, but when in doubt, throw it out. <\/p>\n
Here are some guidelines from the Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Department:<\/p>\n
Discard any food touched by floodwater
\nAs a rule of thumb, if any food or food packaging has come into contact with floodwater, it should be thrown away. This includes:<\/p>\n
Fresh produce
\nMeat, poultry, fish, and eggs
\nDairy products
\nOpen containers and packages
\nFood in cardboard boxes, paper, or plastic wrap
\nHome-canned goods
\nEven if items are sealed — like jars or cans with screw caps, corks, or snap lids — they are not considered safe if they have been submerged or splashed by floodwater.<\/p>\n
Inspect canned foods carefully
\nCommercially canned foods with sealed, undamaged metal lids may be safe if properly sanitized. Here is how you can clean them:<\/p>\n
Remove labels (which can harbor bacteria).
\nWash cans in hot, soapy water and rinse.
\nSanitize by soaking in a solution of one cup of bleach and five gallons of water for 15 minutes then soak in clean water for at least one minute.
\nRe-label with a marker, including the expiration date.
\nClean your kitchen thoroughly<\/p>\n
Before using your kitchen again, thoroughly clean and sanitize all surfaces, including counters, shelves, appliances and utensils.<\/p>\n
Disinfect with a solution of 1 cup of bleach in five gallons of water.
\nAllow the surface to remain wet for at least one minute, then rinse with clean water.
\nDiscard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples, and pacifiers if they\u2019ve been exposed\u2014they\u2019re difficult to fully disinfect.<\/p>\n
Check your refrigerator and freezer
\nIf the power was out for more than four hours, most refrigerated foods should be thrown away. Freezer items may be safe if they still contain ice crystals or stayed below 40\u00b0F. When in doubt, throw it out — don\u2019t taste food to check if it\u2019s safe.<\/p>\n
Flood-contaminated food can cause serious illness. It is better to err on the side of caution and dispose of questionable items. Always prioritize safety over salvaging.
\nSource: WDRB<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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