Skip to main content
You're logged in with MyAlex  |  Logout

City of Alexandria, VA

Search results cleared

Include archived pages
Most of the content here is written in English. Translate your search to find more content? Translating "" to English... Searching for English phrase ""
  • Live
  • Play
  • Services
  • Business
  • Government
  • Projects & Plans
  • Calendar
  • I want to…

Guidance for Food Establishments Following a Storm

Page updated on October 7, 2022 at 3:05 PM

Environmental Health

  • Environmental Health Homepage
  • Food Safety Program
  • Bed Bugs
  • Hazardous Substances
  • Health Permits & Licenses
  • Guidance for Food Establishments Following a Storm

Share

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
Translate icon
Translate icon
XWARNING: You have chosen to translate this page using an automated translation system. This translation has not been reviewed by the City of Alexandria and may contain errors.

For Food Establishment Owners and Managers

Alexandria is expected to see the effects of a large storm. Be prepared by reviewing the following guidance.

If your Food Establishment has been affected by a Power Outage or Flood, please call the Environmental Health 24 Hour Response Number 703.795.8506

Operating without Electricity

If you do not have electrical power at your food establishment, you must cease all food operations and close until power is restored and call the Health Department at 703.746.4910. Leave a message indicating the name of your business, street address and the time you lost power. You must remain closed until normal power is restored or until you can switch over to generator power. A Health Department inspection will be required before you reopen if power was lost for more than 2 hours.

Food Salvage after a Power Outage

Perishable, refrigerated foods such as meats, fish, poultry, and all dairy products that have been without refrigeration and have been above 41°F for more than two hours should be discarded.

  • Any perishable food from the freezer that has thawed for more than two hours and is above 41°F should be discarded.
  • Any food item discarded should be disposed of in well tied double-bagged plastic garbage bags.
  • After the power returns, it is OK to refreeze frozen foods that still contain ice crystals and are below 41°F. These include meats, fish, vegetables and cheeses.
  • As a general rule, a well-functioning freezer that remains unopened and is at least half full will keep foods cold for about 24 hours.

When in doubt, throw it out.

Food Salvage after Flooding

Flood water can make foods unsafe to eat, especially if packaging is contaminated.

Discard food if water has covered, splashed, dripped on or seeped into the package. This includes:

  • Foods in packages made from paper, plastic, cloth, fiber or cardboard and glass jars
  • Foods, liquids or beverages in crown‐capped bottles or containers with pull‐tab tops, corks or screw caps; and
  • Cans that:
    • Are dented, leaking, bulging or rusted; and
    • Have been tossed about and are far from their normal storage spot (possibility of pinholes or seam fractures)
    • Cans may not be sold without all required labeling information. Therefore, cans with damaged labels should be discarded

Any food item discarded should be disposed of in well tied double‐bagged plastic garbage bags.

Clean-Up after Flooding

  • To prevent mold and mildew growth, conduct corrective actions within 24‐48 hours after the flood waters recede.
  • Remove any standing water. Remove wet materials. Dispose of any materials that cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
  • Floors, walls, furnishings, carpets, and equipment damaged beyond salvage must be removed and replaced as necessary.
  • Use a detergent solution to clean floors, equipment, and other affected areas followed by a clean water rinse.
  • Disinfect the floor and any other affected areas by using an EPA‐registered disinfectant such as a 500 parts per million chlorine solution or other product labeled as a disinfectant. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for ‘disinfectant’ use.
  • Air‐dry the affected area.
  • Clean and sanitize any utensils and salvageable equipment in the affected area.
  • Launder any linens or uniforms in contact with flood water. Launder separately from other linens by using bleach and/or a mechanical dryer.
  • Launder or discard mop heads and other cleaning aids that contacted flood water.
  • Alternative measure: Hire an outside service that has expertise in cleaning and sanitizing food establishments exposed to floods.

WASH YOU HANDS THOROUGHLY!  DO IT OFTEN!

Simple, basic hygiene -hand washing- is the single most important thing you can do to protect your health when you clean up after a flood.

Contact EH

For more information on food safety, contact the

  • Alexandria Health Department at 703.746.4910
  • In an emergency, call the Environmental Health emergency number at 703.795.8506. This number is answered 24/7.

Links

For more information on food safety, visit
http://alexandriava.gov/environmentalhealth

For more information on hurricane preparation, visit
http://alexandriava.gov/hurricane

For more information on other emergencies, visit
http://alexandriava.gov/#Alert

 

 

Contact Us
Alex311 | 703.746.4311
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Visitor Information

VisitAlexandriaVA.com

  • Emergency Hotlines
  • Social Media
  • Privacy & Legal
  • FOIA Requests
  • Departments
  • Jobs
  • Payments

Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

City of Alexandria Seal
© 1995–2023 City of Alexandria, VA and others.
Hold on, redirecting...