Is it Safe to Store Food Outside in the Winter?

Are you hosting a large meal this holiday season? While you’re busy prepping and cooking in the kitchen, it is easy to see how freezer and refrigerator space fills up quickly! Not to mention when your guests show up with a dish they brought in hopes to snag up your precious fridge real estate. Whether your refrigerator is broken, you’ve lost power due to a winter storm, or you have simply run out of room, a common midwestern solution is to take advantage of our cool winter weather and store food outside in your garage, on your deck or patio, or even keeping it chilled in a snowbank. These solutions are not advised by the USDA.

According to the USDA, food can thaw when exposed to the sun’s rays, even if the temperature remains very cold. If any sunshine does hit your food, the outer part will thaw slightly before freezing again. This could cause chilled food to enter into the “danger zone” of being warmer than 40 degrees but cooler than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. When your frozen or refrigerated food becomes too warm, foodborne bacteria may begin to grow.

You also cannot control any contamination and unsanitary conditions if you set your food outside. Often, the food is set out-of-sight, where a curious pet or other wild animals could get into and contaminate. Rodents, in particular, pose a real health concern if they come into contact with your food! Animals have an extraordinary sense of smell, even through plastic wrap and sealed containers.

What about storing food in your garage? While your food may be sheltered from sunlight and the outdoor elements, fumes from your car, truck, tractor, and snow blowers also pose the threat of contaminating your food. The temperature in your garage also fluctuates throughout the day, unlike the cold consistent temperature your refrigerator would provide. Also, the unsanitary nature of a garage provides additional opportunities for contamination from road salt, winter grime, and dust.

Have a happy holiday by storing your food safely! Maximize your fridge storage space with stackable containers or flexible food storage bags. Plan meals that use few ingredients and create minimal leftovers, or send a to-go bag home with guests. Move non-perishable items, such as soda, to a cooler with ice for guests to grab! And, if your refrigerator isn’t staying cool, give Westside a call!