Eskom CEO, Thediso Matona, has warned that with the ageing power grid under enormous strain, large-scale load shedding is set to begin next week.  The utility has been battling to keep up with the demands due to limited generating capacity, ageing infrastructure and several technical issues at its power stations. Load shedding is inevitable.

So, the power is out and you’ve got a fridge full of food. Being prepared can help though - by planning ahead, you can save your perishables and safeguard your family’s health.

Planning for power cuts

It’s going to be another five years before load shedding will be a thing of the past.  Check your load shedding schedule and prepare in advance to store your food safely. Here's how:

• If the power cut is going to be for a long period of time, organise alternative refrigerated storage with friends or family.
• Avoid buying a lot of food that needs to be frozen or refrigerated. Opt for more shelf stable foods, such as canned goods, dried fruit, powdered milk and breads.
• Invest in a digital quick-response thermometer to check the internal temperature of food safely.
• Styrofoam ice boxes are inexpensive so buy some and make sure that you have ice bricks in your freezer at all times.
• Adjust the refrigerator to its coldest setting; remove fresh fruit and vegetables to prevent them from spoiling.
• Set your freezer at its coldest setting too.
• Try not to open your fridge or freezer unnecessarily during outages.

Food stored in refrigerators

Your food will remain safe in your refrigerator for two hours. The golden rules are:

• Immediately use any food stored in a refrigerator or ice box at more than 5⁰ C for more than 2 hours, but less than 4 hours.
• Food stored in a refrigerator or ice box at more than 5⁰ C for four hours or more, should be discarded.

Food stored in freezers

• Freezers that are in a good condition and operate at minus 5⁰ C or below can keep foods frozen for between 1 and 2 days.
• If the freezer door is kept shut, a full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 48 hours, while a half full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 24 hours.
• Foods that have partly defrosted but remain very cold (5⁰ or less) can be refrozen.
• If your food has been in a freezer where the temperature has reached more than 5⁰ C for more than 2 hours but less than 4 hours, it should be consumed immediately.
• Food stored in a freezer for more than 4 hours at more than 5⁰ C, should be discarded.

The disposal of food

When you dispose of food, make sure to always wrap it in a newspaper before placing it in the rubbish bin. Without correct disposal, fly breeding may result and increase the risk of the spread of infectious diseases.

Businesses and ordinary South Africans will be hit hard by large scale load shedding starting from next week onwards. Eskom has abandoned its “lights on at all cost” policy.  Be prepared during these dark days and take the necessary steps to reduce food waste and keep your family healthy.

The information on Fedhealth Medical Aid is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional

Source: www.citypress.co.za, www.healthywa.gov.au, www.redcross.org, www.foodsafety.gov,

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.