You need to check the temperature when you cook. Do you know how hot your food needs to get? Foods aren't cooked completely until they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Use this quick guide to find out how hot your food needs to get.

When to Save and When to Throw Out

Is food in the freezer safe during a power outage? Thawed or partially thawed food in the freezer may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40 °F or below. Partial thawing and refreezing may affect the quality of some food, but the food will be safe to eat.

When to Save and When to Throw Out

Is food in the refrigerator safe during a power outage? It should be safe as long as power is out no more than 4 hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 40 °F for over 2 hours.

A basic guide for safe food storage reference guide provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (foodsafety.gov).