Currently, in the conditions of war, systematic power outages are occurring in the regions of Ukraine, which negatively affect the production and sale of food products. Without light, refrigerators, freezers and refrigerated commercial chambers do not work, and food products can spoil. If storage temperature conditions are not observed, food products can become unsafe for consumption.
In accordance with the above, the Chuguyiv District Department of the Main Department of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in the Kharkiv region draws the attention of food market operators to the need to ensure uninterrupted food storage regimes in order to avoid negative consequences for the health of consumers.
We appeal to market operators: ensure proper conditions, including compliance with the temperature regime, when storing food products. It is important that a power outage does not catch your establishment by surprise. We recommend that you take care of alternative means of electricity in advance, if possible, purchase gasoline or diesel generators, portable power stations, etc.
Despite systematic power outages, entrepreneurs should try to maintain appropriate temperature conditions for food storage, ensure proper sanitation in refrigerators and freezers, take precautionary measures, prevent complete defrosting of food products. Store products at a temperature that does not harm the health of consumers, and minimize the risk of the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
It is forbidden to re-freeze defrosted products from freezers!
Prepare for electrical emergencies:
- Make sure your refrigerator and freezer have thermometers.
- The temperature in the freezer should not exceed -18°C and in the refrigerator no more than +6°C. In the event of a power outage, the appliance's thermometers will show the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer to help you determine whether the food is safe. If you know in advance that the power outage will last more than 4 hours, you can group food together in the freezer, provided that the food is close together. This helps the food stay colder for longer.
- Buy or prepare ice packs, gel packs, etc. in advance and freeze them. If possible, buy dry or block ice. Store this in the freezer for later use in the refrigerator.
- Keep the refrigerator or freezer door closed to prevent warm air from entering.
- Check the temperature of foods stored in the freezer or refrigerator with an additional cold source. This can be done using a thermometer in the refrigerator or freezer.
- If the power has been off for no more than 4 hours, refrigerated food will be safe as long as the door remains closed. When the power is back on, check the temperature in the refrigerator or the temperature of the food.
- It is not recommended to purchase perishable food products for storage. You should stock up only on food products that do not require special temperature storage conditions (cereals, canned food, etc.) or that lose the least quality without refrigeration (long-term storage milk in tetra packs, raw smoked sausages).
- Perishable foods can be stored in a thermal container (thermal bags) with cold elements, in a cellar or basement in closed containers to prevent rodents from accessing them.
- Perishable products (e.g. meat, poultry, seafood, milk) are not eligible for further sale if they have been stored in a refrigerator at a temperature above 15°C for 4 hours or more.
The primary responsibility for food safety lies with food market operators: producers and business entities involved in the storage, transportation, and circulation of food products.
Be responsible!
Chuhuyiv District Department of the Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in Kharkiv Region