AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question So recently we have been having blackouts here in our neighborhood. I went to the grocery store to buy frozen chicken thighs and yogurt. Though, when i returned to my house the electricity was still off. It was about 6 hours until it came back on. I put the food back in the freezer (chicken) and the yogurt back into the fridge. I am wondering whether food is safe to eat?
Answer Hi Rocky,
Did you have the chicken and yogurt in anything to try to keep them cool -- such as a cooler? I hope so as chicken at room temperature defrosts very quickly and can support the growth of harmful bacteria.
Again -- if you had it in a cooler and the chicken still had ice crystals 6 hours later, it will be safe to eat. If however you had the chicken at room temperature for the entire 6 hours the recommendation is to not consume the chicken.
The recommendation on yogurt is the same -- if it is out over 2 hours at room temperature it should not be consumed.
