If the power is out for more than 4 hours, which food is still safe to use?

When power is out for more than four hours, food safety becomes a critical concern. In the case of option B, food that is below 50°F remains safe to use because it is still within a temperature range that inhibits the growth of pathogens and spoilage bacteria.

Perishable foods, such as dairy, meat, and leftovers, should ideally be kept at temperatures below 41°F to maintain safety. Even though the power outage affects refrigeration, if food has been maintained below 50°F, it is likely that it has not reached a temperature where harmful bacteria can proliferate.

Maintaining food at appropriate temperatures is essential for food safety practices. Other food categories, such as cooked foods or those above 50°F, may not be safe as they might already be at risk of contamination or spoilage. Similarly, while frozen foods can maintain safety for a period, they may start to thaw and enter the danger zone, depending on specific conditions and time elapsed. Thus, food below 50°F is the safest option in this scenario.