For most food retailers, refrigeration constitutes the single largest energy expenditure. So when the power suddenly goes out, undoubtedly one of the first things on the minds of store managers is the preservation of their cold inventory. The latest commercial refrigerators leverage innovative design features that enable grocers to protect their customers from purchasing foods that may have reached unsafe temperatures. By investing in refrigerators and freezers that employ state-of-the-art technology, food merchants can minimize inventory loss while ensuring customer safety, in the event of an extended power outage.
Commercial Refrigerators and Food Temperature Guidelines
While losing electricity for a short period of time is unlikely to compromise chilled supermarket provisions, refrigerated goods that have been stored above 41°F for more than four hours are at risk for harboring bacteria that may result in illness if consumed. This is especially true in the case of animal products, like meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Frozen foods that have begun to thaw can be safely refrozen as long as they have not risen above 41°F and still exhibit visible ice crystals. However, products that have reached or exceeded 45°F for any length of time are unfit for consumption and should be immediately discarded.
Grocers can take measures to maintain food temperatures below 41°F by ensuring that freezer and refrigerator doors remain closed until power is restored and products return to their normal storage temperatures. Keeping the doors closed prevents cold air from escaping from the units and helps maintain a chilled interior environment. If left undisturbed, refrigerated food should remain safe for 4-6 hours, while a full freezer can retain enough cold air to preserve its contents up to two days.
Preserving Commercial Refrigerator Temperatures and Customer Safety
When the power goes out, there’s often no telling how long operations will be down. By employing commercial refrigerators with doors that automatically lock whenever electricity is lost, store managers can preserve their inventory while ensuring customer safety. Refrigerators such as Imbera’s Performax30 with Electronic Lock Automation Functionality prevent customers from opening doors on freezer and refrigerator units during a power outage, keeping the interior environment cold while ensuring that shoppers do not inadvertently purchase items that may have begun to spoil.
Food retailers understand the importance of complying with health standards. Selling compromised products can not only incur legal challenges, it can also damage a merchant’s reputation and decrease customer loyalty. Investing in cutting-edge technology helps safeguard both customers and retailers alike, while providing an additional layer of protection against the loss of merchandise due to an unexpected loss of power.
To learn about Imbera’s line of commercial refrigerators, including models with the Performax30 health lock, contact us today at 678-504-6842.
