Food Safety Disaster Recovery Resources Available

The Food Safety Extension Network has released a collaborative disaster recovery guide to help consumers safely handle food and water following emergencies and natural disasters. The resource provides practical information on topics such as food safety during power outages, assessing refrigerated and frozen foods, water safety, cleanup procedures, and preventing foodborne illness after a disaster. Consumers can use the guide to make informed decisions that protect their health and reduce food safety risks during the recovery process.

Food Safety Resources for Disaster Recovery: A Collaborative Extension Guide

1) Consumer Food Safety

Overall Comprehensive Guides

• IAFP Comprehensive Food Safety Emergency Guide (PDF)<

• Ready.gov: Food safety disaster and Emergencies

• Family preparedness and resiliency (EFNEP)

Power Outages and Food Safety
If the Power Goes Out:

• UGA: If the Power Goes Out (PDF)

• FoodSafety.gov: Power Outages

• USDA: Severe Storms Brochure (PDF)

• FDA: Food and Water Safety During Power Outages

• UF IFAS: Power Outage Food Safety Tips

• UF IFAS: Hurricane Recovery: Is Your Food Safe?

• NCSU: Food Safety During Power Outages

• UT Extension: Flood-Related Resources

• Ohio State: Power Outage Food Safety

• URI: Food Safety During Power Outages

• NCSU: Infant Food Safety During Power Outage (PDF)

• UADA: Power Outage Food Safety (Video)

• UK: Food Safety During Power Outages

• Clemson: Food Safety in a Freezer Failure

Flood and Sanitation
Food Safety After a Flood:

• UGA: Is Your Food Safe After a Flood (PDF)

• USDA: Safe Food Handling During Emergencies

• USDA: A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety During Severe Storms

• NCSU: Keep or Toss During Power Outages (PDF)

• NCSU: Safe Food After a Flood (PDF)

• NCSU: Food Safety in Flooded Areas

• K-State: Food Safety After a Flood (PDF)

• MSU: Keeping Food Safe Before and After a Flood (PDF)

• Oklahoma State: Safe Food After a Flood

Sanitizing After a Flood:

• UGA: Sanitizing After a Flood (PDF)

• UF IFAS: Septic System Maintenance After Flooding

• NCSU: Flood Clean-Up After a Disaster (Video)

• NCSU: Cleaning the Kitchen After a Flood (Video)

• NCSU: Sanitizing After a Flood (Video)

• Oklahoma State: Cleaning After a Flood

• NCSU: Kitchen Clean-Up After Flood (PDF)

• NCSU: Eliminating Odors From Your Refrigerator and Freezer

• Clemson: Handling “Flooded” Foods & Equipment

• Clemson: Removing Odors

Produce Safety in Flooded Fields and Gardens:

• Ohio State: Produce Safety in Flooded Fields

• Ohio State: Garden Safety After Flooding

• NCSU: Garden Safety After Flooding (PDF)

• UK: Flooded Gardens

Water Safety and Purification
Purifying Non-Potable Water:

• UGA: Purifying Non-Potable Water (PDF)

• Ready.gov: Water Safety

• FDA: Water Safety During Emergencies

• UF IFAS: Disinfecting Private Drinking Wells

• NCSU: Boil Water Advisory

• Ohio State: Safe Water After a Flood

• Oklahoma State: Safe Water After a Natural Disaster

• Clemson: Make Sure Your Water Is Safe

2) Retail Food Safety

Overall Comprehensive Guides
Hurricane Preparedness & Response:

• GA Restaurants: Hurricane Resources