Fridge and freezer were off for 3 hours, is it safe to eat or do I throw the food?

[Serundipatee]

Fridge and freezer were off for just under 3 hours due to electric issue. Is it safe to eat the food or should I throw it away? Have a toddler in the house so I’m extra cautious

it will be fine

Fine as long as doors were closed

Safe so long as the doors weren't wide open on both for the whole three hours too.

Did you open the fridge/freezer in this time?

Has anything in the freezer thawed? Tbh I wouldn't worry too much about 3hrs if the door was closed, it normally takes a while for the temperature to rise if you keep the door closed, especially in the freezer. I'd consider maybe fresh chicken or prawns in the fridge

Its fine!!! Your shopping could easily be in your car that long after a supermarket trip!

And if the doors were kept closed the temp would barely have changed.

If you didn't open them, it will be fine for much longer than that.

No need to worry. 24-48 hours is safe with doors closed.
I looked online just recently.

It will be fine.

We have power outages all the time. By 3 days I would be concerned. The appliances would have keep the temp low enough for those 3 hours.

@Muststopeating

Its fine!!! Your shopping could easily be in your car that long after a supermarket trip!

And if the doors were kept closed the temp would barely have changed.

How far away do you shop that your food sits in the car for nearly 3 hours before you get home?! That's a completely different situation to a fridge/freezer and unless you have an array of insulated bags and ice packs your chilled and frozen food is at high risk of rising to unsafe temperatures sat in the boot of your car for that long.

It's winter and it was 3 hours, the temperature won't have changed that dramaticallywith the doors closed. Of course don't throw it away!

I live in the back end of beyond and frequently pick up my shopping before other jobs or go to multiple shops. 3 hours is rare 2 is common. And no, I don't have insulated bags.

And oddly enough we are all absolutely fine and have never had food poisoning.

I use supermarket dates as a guide and put much more faith in a sniff test. Never failed me yet.

As long as doors were closed you are fine.

It wouldn't cross my mind to think it's anything but all fine.
I suppose 12 hours without electricity on a summer day would make me inspect closely.

Use nose, taste & other aspects for final decision -- but I'd do that regardless of electricity supply.