food safety questions....

[geminigirl]

so, I just had the most depressing time emptying out my fully stocked full sized freezer after the October snowstorm wiped out our electricity for almost a week...I am grateful to have power back, as I know many are still waiting...

So my questions are about a couple of things. I pack individual lunches and lots of stuff in tuperware containers, and obviously I am throwing out the food, but will the tuperware be okay or does that take on any contamination? Sorry if that's a dumb question I just want to be 100% sure because in all the food safety stuff I have been reading they never mention it (except for canning).

Also, it sounds like frozen fruit i've prepared at home, frozen blueberries, strawberries and cherries in frozen light sugar syrup, etc...will be okay to eat, but the quality will suffer. I don't know when the freezer hit 40 or for how long it sat at 40, but from what I read, the fruit can be re-ferozen. Again, just want to make sure....

Thanks for any feedback....my next posts will be about asking for advice on buying a generator and pressure canning...:)

[geminigirl]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, I am on my third dishwasher cycle!

[Chemicalkinetics]

I have something simpler, but evidently it is too late for you.

Fill the tupperware with water, and then put them in the microwave and microwave them for 2-3 mintues. Now, you will literally boil the water in the tupperware and microwave any germ you have. It is easier, faster, uses less water...etc.

However, I must say it is a rather inhumane method to these germs, so you have to really think about if you want to do something so cruel.... so cruel...

[bushwickgirl]

Hehe, I like your style, chem. That sensitive thing.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Tuperware containers are fine. As long as you clean them thoroughly. If you are not sure, then you can always do what letsindulge suggested (bleach solution) or fill them with boiling water. All in all, they are fine.

[bushwickgirl]

Oh, so sorry for your losses. Sucks. I hope those still without power will have relief soon.

Your fruit will be fine; when refrozen it may develop some quality issues but maybe not. I had a bag of cranberries that I defrosted and refroze, not the same texture as fresh in the end, but none the worse for flavor wear.

Plastic containers, once well washed, and I'd sanitize them, for peace of mind and that's just me, will live to contain again.

[letsindulge]

Tupperware is plastic, and plastic IS porous and does absorb rot and mold. I would at the very least soak in bleach solution, and run through the dishwater at the hottest water temp. Just my opinion.

[ipsedixit]

Don't be silly. Tupperware is fine. And I'm guessing depending on what was inside, alot of the food is probably also perfectly fine.

Frozen fruit, again, perfectly fine to refreeze, or eat as is.