Food Safety During a Flood

Did you know that a flood, fire, national disaster, or the loss of power from high winds, snow, or ice could jeopardize the safety of your food? Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

• Wash hands frequently.
  
  
• Wash surfaces often that hold food.
  
  
• Throw out food that may be unsafe.
  
  
• Only use water that is known to be safe.

Quick Tips:

• Disaster Quick Tips: Basic Food Safety (PDF: 85KB/2 pages)
  
  
• Disaster Quick Tips: Using Bleach (PDF: 82KB/2 pages)

Detailed Information:

• Food Safety in Emergencies
  
  
• How It Works: Washing Hands with Soap and Water (PDF: 52KB/1 page)
  
  
• Food Supply Safety and Security in Minnesota
  
  
• Cleaning Up Your Business After a Flood – Food and Beverages
  
  
• Contact Information – State and Local EH Contacts

Non-MDH Resources:

• Preparing for Events, Floods - Red Cross
  
  
• Recover after a disaster: Food Safety - Red Cross
  
  
• Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
  
  
  • Keep Food and Water Safe after a Natural Disaster or Power Outage (PDF: 95KB/3 pages) - CDC
    
    
• Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency - USDA
  
  
• After the Flood - U of M Extension
  
  
• Hurricanes and Floods -Key Tips for Consumers About Food and Water Safety - FDA
  
  
• Food Safety for Consumers Returning Home After a Hurricane and/or Flooding - FDA
  
  
• Restaurants and Grocers Reopening After Hurricanes and Flooding - FDA
  
  
• Preparing Food Without Power - U of M Extension

For more information on this page, please refer to the Emergencies Contact Us Web page.