is all my food ruined? Defrosting/refreezing question...

[kitkat9]

We live in America, and crazy storms yesterday afternoon left us without electricity for about 10 hours! . Was a frickin' nightmare... but anyway..

I had just done a huuuuge gricery shopping, and had put some meat in the freezer - it wouldn't have properly frozen before the power went out so will it still be ok? What about all the food that already was frozen? When I checked the freezer later at night, it was still cold, but not freezing.

Don't know whether I have to get rid of everything! Help! What a waste of money!!!!

TBH The stuff that was already froaen I would cook then refreeze.
Stuff that was only half frozen, I wouldn't risk

Sorry.

bugger.

I had chicken breasts in the fridge too - never frozen. What do you think? They were still in their packaging.

I'm so annoyed, can't be bothered doing more shopping!

10h in a closed fridge should be ok for the chicken - use it asap though.

if it happens again try not to open the fridge or the freezer until several hrs after the power's back on - the cases are pretty well insulated and should stay cold for some time so long as not opened.

[weary voice of experience]

nah....meat that would have still been fresh if you had left it in the fridge... I would put into the freezer, but eat it fairly soon. It's just like it's had a really slow freeze. It won't have gone off, unless it got VERY warm.

We've refrozen food that got UP to -4 deg (from usual temp of -20)when our power went out, and lived to tell the tale. Just make sure it's well done when you do cook it.

thanks....nothing got even remotely warm, not even room temperature. I'll use the chicken up tonight...Will frozen veg be ok? I don't think anything was completely defrosted before freezing again.

oh yes, veg, bread, fruit should all be fine
stuff like icecream and meat will suffer texturally but should be safe

thanks all for replying....much appreciated.

Chicken fajitas for dinner, yum!