Ensure Food And Beverages Are Safe To Consume After A Flood
It is important to know proper food safety precautions to take after a national disaster
such as a flood, said Ravi Jadeja, food safety specialist for Oklahoma State University’s
Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center.
“Emergencies can happen, especially with extreme weather conditions,” he said. “Being prepared to safely handle food and beverages after a flood is key.”
The following tips can help assure food and beverages are safe to eat if affected by a flood:
- Discard any food and beverages that are not in a waterproof container if they have come into with floodwater. Food containers that are waterproof include undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches, such as flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches. Food containers that are not waterproof include those with screw caps, snap lids, pull tops and crimped caps.
- Discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home-canned foods because they cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
- Discard any food in damaged cans. Damaged cans are those with swelling, leakage, punctures, fractures, deep rusting or dents that are severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual can opener.
- Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils – including can openers – with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse and then sanitize them by boiling in clean water or immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of one tablespoon of unscented household (5.25% concentration) liquid bleach per gallon of water.
- Thoroughly wash countertops with soap and water, preferably hot water. Rinse and then sanitize by applying a solution of one tablespoon of unscented household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Allow to air dry.
Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches can be saved by following these procedures:
- Remove labels if they are the removable kind, because they can harbor dirt and bacteria.
- Brush or wipe away any dirt or silt.
- Thoroughly wash the cans or retort pouches with soap and hot water.
- Rinse the containers with water that is safe for drinking, if available, because dirt or residual soap will reduce the effectiveness of chlorine sanitation.
- Sanitize cans and retort pouches by immersion. Either place in water and allow the water to come to a boil and continue boiling for two minutes, or place in a solution of one cup of unscented household bleach mixed with five gallons of water and soak for 15 minutes.
- Air-dry cans or retort pouches for a minimum of one hour before opening or storing.
- Re-label cans or retort pouches – including the expiration date – with a permanent marking pen.
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