Food safety during a hurricane

Just a reminder:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/  is a good source of information on food safety, in general.

Here are some links from that site which are related to Isaac and other weather disasters: 

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp
Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency (USDA)  The basics on ensuring food safety during a flood, fire, national disaster, or the loss of power.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Emergency_Preparedness_Fact_Sheets/index.asp 
Emergency Preparedness (USDA)  Provides materials, including videos and podcasts, on ensuring food safety during emergencies.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm076881.htm
Food and Water Safety During Hurricanes, Power Outages, and Floods (FDA)  Proper safety precautions to keep food and water safe.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm076993.htm
Food Safety for Consumers Returning Home After a Hurricane and/or Flooding (FDA)  How to deal with food, water, and food preparation areas after flooding.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm077029.htm
Hurricanes and Floods - Key Tips for Consumers About Food and WaterSafety (FDA)  What to do when flooding occurs.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm077023.htm
.Power Outages - Key Tips for Consumers About Food Safety (FDA)   What to do when the power goes out and when it is restored.

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.asp
Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster or Emergency (CDC)  Includes tips for making water safe to drink and storing food.

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/
Food, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Information for Use Before and After a Disaster or Emergency (CDC)

http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html
Chart: Refrigerated Food and Power Outages:  When to Save and When to Throw Out   Is food in the refrigerator safe during a power outage? Use this chart to find out.

http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/frozen_food.html
Chart: Frozen Food and Power Outages:   When to Save and When to Throw Out 
Is thawed or partially thawed food in the freezer safe to eat? Use this chart as a guide.

If you are in the hurricane zone, the whole country is thinking about you.  Stay Safe!

About Cereal . . . in case you wondered

Sugary Cereals and Kids
While U.S. food companies are making healthier breakfast cereals for children, they're also aiming more ads for their unhealthiest products at kids, according to a report issued by the Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.
The "Cereal Facts" study assesses the industry's actions and finds that spending to promote child-targeted cereals was $264 million in 2011, an increase of more than 30 percent from 2008. The Rudd Center study follows a similar report three years ago.

per Society for Nutrition Education

Hot & Dry . . . stay hydrated

++ The "dog days" of summer are here.  In many parts of the USA, this summer has been, and continues to be, hotter than usual.  What have you been hearing about staying properly hydrated?  Why is it important?

  Dehydration coupled with hot weather (or worse, hot, humid weather) can easily lead to heat exhaustion (dizziness, nausea, headache).  Cooling off promptly is essential, and so is proper hydration.  The next step is heat stroke, which can be fatal (little perspiration, confusion or loss of consciousness - move the victim to shade and get medical help at once).

  Under most circumstances, drinking enough water will take care of the hydration.  Thirst, however, is not always a reliable indicator of when a person needs to drink more water.  It is too easy to disregard.  Not only that, but the sense of thirst is often disrupted in children, the elderly, and people with a variety of medical conditions.  The amount of water needed depends on a person's size, adaption to hot weather, and amount of perspiration produced.

  Water intoxication is a condition that is frequently misunderstood.  This happens when a person is losing electrolytes (certain minerals) from the body, as well as water; but, replacing only the water.  It is uncommon in healthy adults.  It can happen much more easily in infants, young children, and those with certain medical conditions.  Pregnant women and the elderly should be on the look-out for this, too.  Most of us consume enough salt to compensate for this.  Those who don't, benefit from rehydration solutions, which are generally safer than self-prescribing salt tablets.  One common type of rehydration solution is sports electrolyte drinks - Gatorade is one brand name of these, but many people use that name to refer to the whole class of drinks.  These drinks can be over-used, in which case they are little more than salty soft drinks.

  "Energy drinks" containing caffeine, and other sources of caffeine, can be counter-productive because the caffeine can trigger more urine production.  Alcohol also triggers more urine production, which in turn, leads to more fluid and electrolyte loss.  Juice and soft drinks are safer is this regard, but the high sugar levels can also cause your internal thirst monitor to malfunction - not to mention the extra calories! 

  Play it safe in hot weather - drink more water.