Tips for handling thawed food after Ike

Before eating that once-frozen pound of beef or leftover potato salad, food experts warn residents whose power was out earlier in the week to heed a few simple steps to ensure their safety.

"When unsure, throw it out," said Dr. Georganne Syler, associate professor in dietetics and hospitality management at Southeast Missouri State University. "Food-borne illness is no fun."

Thousands of Southeast Missouri residents lost power Sunday after the remnants of Hurricane Ike tore through the area.

Syler said if ice crystals inside the package that contained the meat are still visible, the food is safe to eat but should be refrozen immediately.

Because most perishable food can only survive for a couple of hours inside a refrigerator, Syler advises checking meat with a thermometer. If the temperature reads less than 40 degrees, Syler said the food should be safe to eat. But if it measures above that threshold, she urges the food be discarded.

Dr. Marcia Nahikian-Nelms, professor and director of the didactic program in dietetics at Southeast, said frozen foods can survive for about two days in a nearly full standing freezer if closed. She said a half-full freezer remains cold for one day.

"Avoid using appearance or odor as your guide for food safety," Nahikian-Nelms said. "If foods still have ice crystals, refreeze them right away. Then make sure you use those foods soon."

"Make sure that you dispose of foods safely, where no one or animals can get to them."

As for defrosted vegetables and fruit, Schnucks grocery store produce clerk David Stockton believes while safe, the food items may lose their quality.

"It depends on how the vegetable or fruit does at a certain temperature," Stockton said. "Some veggies stay at room temperature better such as corn, mushrooms and squash."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137