Hurricane Resources: Health TopicsFood Safety - The Office of Minority Health

Hurricane Resources: Health Topics
Food Safety

Important message on food safety for people in hurricane areas. Source: Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Hurricanes, especially with a tidal surge or flooding, can contaminate food. Even food in sealed packages, such as canned food, may not be safe – or may require special treatment to make it safe.

Discard any food without a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with floodwater. Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved. But you need to take special steps. Remove the labels, thoroughly wash the cans and disinfect them with a solution consisting of one-fourth cup of bleach per gallon of water for clean surfaces. Re-label your cans, including the expiration date, with a marker. Food containers with screw-caps, snap lids, and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come in contact with flood water because they cannot be disinfected.

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Content Last Modified: 11/9/2005 4:52:00 PM

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