What To Do With Food After A Flood

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

What To Do With Food That Has Come Into Contact With Flood Water

When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away food that may have come in contact with floodwater – like:

• Home-canned foods.
• All foods in cardboard boxes, paper, foil, cellophane (plastic wrap) or cloth.
• Meat, poultry, eggs or fish.
• Spices, seasonings, extracts, flour, sugar, grain, coffee and other staples in canisters.
• Unopened jars with waxed cardboard seals, such as mayonnaise and salad dressing. Also, throw away preserves sealed with paraffin wax.
• Throw away any fruits and vegetables that have been in contact with floodwaters – including those that have not been harvested from gardens.
• Wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers.

You do NOT need to throw away the following items if they have been in contact with floodwater:

• Commercially canned foods that came into contact with floodwater and have been properly cleaned by: labeling cans with the name of food in permanent marker; removing labels; washing cans in water containing detergent; soaking cans for at least one minute in chlorine solution; rinsing in clean, cool water; placing on sides to dry (do not stack cans).
• Dishes and glassware if they are sanitized by boiling in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of one teaspoon of chlorine bleach per quart of water.
• If electricity at your home has been off for long periods of time, throw away perishable foods (like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, leftovers, etc.) that have been above 40 degrees for two hours or more.

Source: PA DEP

SERVPRO can sort and dispose of any non-salvageable items after a flood and even create an inventory list for you and your insurance company.