During a power outage, how long can food remain safe in a refrigerator?

The correct answer is based on food safety principles related to temperature control. During a power outage, a refrigerator will maintain a safe temperature for food for a limited period as long as the door remains closed. Generally, as long as the refrigerator door is not opened, food can remain safe for approximately 4 hours.

When the door stays closed, the interior temperature will not increase significantly due to the confinement of warm air entering. After about 4 hours, however, the temperature can start to rise above the safe threshold (41°F or 5°C), which puts food at risk for bacterial growth. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the time and the temperature to ensure food safety during these outages.

In contrast, the other time frames provided do not align with established guidelines for refrigerator safety. The standard guidelines emphasize the 4-hour window to help users make informed decisions during situations of power loss.