Is food in the refrigerator safe during a power outage? As long as the power is out no more than 4 hours, it should be safe. Make sure you keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible.  Never taste food to determine its safety! You cant rely on appearance or odor to determine whether food is safe. Use a digital thermometer to check internal temperature Throw away items exposed to temperatures greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours Frozen food in freezer may be safe for 24 hours If there's doubt, throw it outNote: Always discard any items in the refrigerator that have come into contact with raw meat juices.Use this chart as a guide from FoodSafety.gov.MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD - Held above 40 F for over 2 hours DISCARD: Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; soy meat substitutes  DISCARD: Thawing meat or poultry DISCARD: Salads: Meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, or egg salad DISCARD: Gravy, stuffing, broth DISCARD: Lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef DISCARD: Pizza with any topping DISCARD: Canned hams labeled "Keep Refrigerated" DISCARD: Canned meats and fish, opened DISCARD: Casseroles, soups, stewsCHEESE - Held above 40 F for over 2 hours DISCARD: Soft Cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, queso fresco SAFE: Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, Romano SAFE: Processed Cheeses DISCARD: Shredded Cheeses DISCARD: Low-fat Cheeses SAFE: Grated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar)DAIRY - Held above 40 F for over 2 hours DISCARD: Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, soy milk SAFE: Butter, margarine DISCARD: Baby formula, openedEGGS - Held above 40 F for over 2 hours DISCARD: Fresh eggs, hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg products DISCARD: Custards and puddings, quicheFRUITS - Held above 40 F for over 2 hours DISCARD: Fresh fruits, cut SAFE: Fruit juices, opened SAFE: Canned fruits, opened SAFE: Fresh fruits, coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits, datesSAUCES, SPREADS, JAMS - Held above 40 F for over 2 hours Discard if above 50 F for over 8 hrs: Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish SAFE: Peanut butter SAFE: Jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, pickles SAFE: Worcestershire, soy, barbecue, hoisin sauces DISCARD: Fish sauces, oyster sauce SAFE: Opened vinegar-based dressings DISCARD: Opened creamy-based dressings DISCARD: Spaghetti sauce, opened jarBREAD, CAKES, COOKIES, PASTA, GRAINS - Held above 40 F for over 2 hours SAFE: Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillas DISCARD: Refrigerator biscuits, rolls, cookie dough DISCARD: Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes DISCARD: Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette DISCARD: Fresh pasta DISCARD: Cheesecake SAFE: Breakfast foods waffles, pancakes, bagelsPIES, PASTRY - Held above 40 F for over 2 hours DISCARD: Pastries, cream filled DISCARD: Pies custard, cheese filled, or chiffon; quiche SAFE: Pies, fruitVEGETABLES - Held above 40 F for over 2 hours SAFE: Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spices DISCARD: Greens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packaged SAFE: Vegetables, raw DISCARD: Vegetables, cooked; tofu DISCARD: Baked potatoes DISCARD: Commercial garlic in oil DISCARD: Potato salad DISCARD: Casseroles, soups, stews