Disaster Preparedness: How to prepare safe water after a disaster

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	Home » Disaster response » Food and medicine

Disaster response
Which foods and medicines are safe after a flood disaster?

	Food, medicines and cosmetics
	Canned food in glass jars
	Frozen foods
	Fruits and vegetables
	Refrigerated foods
	Cleaning and disinfecting the refrigerator and the freezer

Food, medicines and cosmetics

Discard food, medicines, and cosmetics that were not in water tight containers and that were exposed to flood waters.

Canned food in glass jars

Discard if completely submerged. If merely splashed, make sure seal is tight, wash off and disinfect by immersing in a solution of 3 tablespoons of liquid household bleach (such as Clorox or Purex) to a gallon of water.

Canned foods are generally safe to eat. Disinfect as explained above.
Jams, jellies, and so on -- Discard if sealed under paraffin.

Frozen foods

Discard if thawed to above 41° F or contaminated.

Fruits and vegetables

Wash and cook thoroughly before eating.
Discard loose-skinned fresh fruits and vegetables such as lettuce that have been exposed to flood waters.

Refrigerated foods

Discard all milk, fish, meat, poultry, and eggs, if refrigeration has been off and the temperature is greater than 41° F.

WARNING: When in doubt, throw it out!

Cleaning and disinfecting the refrigerator and the freezer

Thoroughly clean the interior and exterior of refrigerators and freezers with soap and clean water. Disinfect inside surfaces with a solution of 3/4 cup liquid household, chlorine bleach to one gallon of warm water.
If odor persists, place about 3 ounces of activated charcoal (available at drugstores) in an open container in the refrigerator or freezer. Food may remain with the charcoal. After 3 to 6 hours, put the charcoal in a moderate oven to drive off the odor and to "reactivate" it. Repeat these steps as necessary. Save the charcoal - you can reuse it.