ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 1996 TAG: 9601310049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
Food that has come into contact with flood waters may have been exposed to raw sewage, oil or chemical wastes or may contain harmful bacteria that makes it unsafe to eat, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Extension agents advise New River Valley residents to carefully inspect all foods for signs of contact with flood waters. If there is any doubt about the safety of the food, discard it.
Any of the following foods should be destroyed if they have come into contact with flood waters: fresh foods, foods in cardboard or paper cartons, foods in bags, foods or beverages in crown-capped bottles or containers with pull-tops, corks or screw tops, and food in glass jars.
This includes any food in a refrigerator or freezer that flood waters may have entered.
All dishes, pots, pans, and cooking utensils must be washed and sterilized before use as well as counters and cabinets.
If a power failure caused refrigerated or frozen food to be warmed to above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours, the foods should be discarded. Food warmed to that temperature for less than two hours should be cooked immediately or refrozen. Partially thawed food containing ice crystals can be refrozen.
LENGTH: Short : 31 linesby CNB