Frozen Food
Bonnie

07/21/03 		We left for vacation and accidently turned the power off that runs our upright freezer. This was 2 weeks. The door never was opened, the freezer is fairly new and kept in a room that does not get very hot and no sun (in the basement). How long does food stay frozen in a well insulated freezer? Is anything safe to eat (of course... it is frozen again). Please help
ellen

07/25/03 		Hi,

What a loss! The maximum anyone will give for food safety in a full unopened freezer that loses power is only 72 hours, so I am afraid you are stuck with a lot of compost. If it was unpowered long enough for frozen vegetables to refreeze in a block, that is another clear sign.

I have heard that this can sometimes be claimed as a casualty loss if you are insured or itemize taxesband want to deal with it. Check into it. and good luck

Ellen