Hurricane Season Checklist: USDA Lays Out Food Safety Clocks After Power Loss and a 72-Hour Deadline for Reporting Farm Losses
With Hurricane Isaias approaching, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued preparedness guidance for farmers and residents on October 9, spelling out the food safety clocks that start ticking when the power goes out.
According to USDA, once power is lost, refrigerated food kept below 40°F will stay safe for about four hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for about 48 hours; a half-full freezer, about 24 hours.
If ice can be secured in advance, 50 pounds of dry ice or block ice can keep an 18-cubic-foot freezer cold for about two days.
For farmers, loss reporting runs on a deadline as well: losses under crop insurance and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) must be reported within 72 hours, with a written follow-up within 15 days. Missing those windows can jeopardize eligibility for assistance.
USDA listed available assistance programs including livestock indemnity payments, tree assistance, emergency conservation and forest restoration, and emergency farm loans. Questions about meat and poultry can be directed to the hotline at 1-888-674-6854.
(Source: USDA press release, October 9)
Source: USDA
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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