Fridge Safety

[Anonymous]

I just went to my fridge to get a drink and noticed the food and drinks inside felt warmer than they should. Lots of condensation on containers. It turns out the gasket seal was broken and so it wasn’t fully sealed.

I just fixed it but do I need to throw food out? It’s so hot in our apartment (even with central air this old building doesn’t cool well) and I took a bite of food as a test and it felt cool, not cold. Most of it was only in there for four hours because we got a grocery delivery at 9pm and I just noticed this at about 1:30.

I would appreciate any guidance. Google seems to suggest that a fridge without power but fully sealed is fine for 4 hours but I’m not sure about a not fully sealed/shut fridge.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the temperature inside the refrigerator. Good Housekeeping says, “If the power is out beyond four hours, you can still eat the food in the fridge for up to another two hours — provided the internal refrigerator temp is in the safe zone (35 to 38°F). After that, you risk getting sick.”

You can still keep some refrigerated foods, like fruits and vegetables, butter, cheese, condiments, breads, baked goods. Here’s their guide to what you can still keep and what should be tossed:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/a43688230/food-safety-tips-during-power-outage/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the temperature inside the refrigerator. Good Housekeeping says, “If the power is out beyond four hours, you can still eat the food in the fridge for up to another two hours — provided the internal refrigerator temp is in the safe zone (35 to 38°F). After that, you risk getting sick.”

You can still keep some refrigerated foods, like fruits and vegetables, butter, cheese, condiments, breads, baked goods. Here’s their guide to what you can still keep and what should be tossed:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/a43688230/food-safety-tips-during-power-outage/

Literally exactly what she said she found unhelpful but okay.

OP, idk. I just don’t think your fridge went from safe to not safe in four hours over a gasket issue. A little late now but was the food warm or just the packaging was a little warm. Sometimes moisture gets in accounting for the condensation on bottles you mention.

[Anonymous]

I would toss anything like raw meat probably any meat but not ketchup or fruit.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine. It’s all fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would toss anything like raw meat probably any meat but not ketchup or fruit.

Ketchup and fruit don’t need to be refrigerated in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would toss anything like raw meat probably any meat but not ketchup or fruit.

Ketchup and fruit don’t need to be refrigerated in the first place.

You do not refrigerate opened condiments?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would toss anything like raw meat probably any meat but not ketchup or fruit.

Ketchup and fruit don’t need to be refrigerated in the first place.

You do not refrigerate opened condiments?

You do not.

[Anonymous]

Do the smell test not scientific but will save you money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would toss anything like raw meat probably any meat but not ketchup or fruit.

Ketchup and fruit don’t need to be refrigerated in the first place.

You do not refrigerate opened condiments?

You do not.

Opened condiments might not need refrigeration to be safe to eat, but refrigerating them maintains their quality over time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the smell test not scientific but will save you money.

This. But I’m a risk taker. I’d eat anything that smelled fine.

[Anonymous]

I would throw over everything.

[Anonymous]

I guess it’s fixed now, but do you have a meat thermometer? Check some of the food temps with it to see if you’re out of the safe zone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the smell test not scientific but will save you money.

This. But I’m a risk taker. I’d eat anything that smelled fine.

Same. Hasn't failed me yet.

[Anonymous]

Check out the FDA website for the “toss” list, considering you don’t know how long your seal was broken. That said, on a humid day if your fridge was opened a few times, condensation isn’t surprising.

Another resource is to look at sailing sites - there’s a lot of good info from
People who tour the world about what actually needs refrigeration.

I’m very much a trying to reform “best before = certain death after” kind of person, but there are a lot of things that we refrigerate that don’t need it.