The Westchester County Department of Health has some interesting information on the countyweb site: what foods to throw out if you experienced a power outage. The site is www.westchestergov.com/health

Potentially hazardous foods include:

Meat, poultry, seafood, cold cuts, hot dogs, eggs, cream, sour cream, yogurt, milk, custards, puddings, soft cheeses, shredded cheeses, low fat cheeses, cooked vegetables, cooked potatoes, potato salad, cut fresh fruits, cooked pasta, rice, pasta salads, casseroles, unbaked cookies and bread dough, gravy, creamy salad dressings, fish sauces, hoisin sauce, opened spaghetti sauce, garlic in oil. These foods, if not maintained at the proper temperature, must be discarded. Bacteria grows readily at temperatures about 41 and can make customers ill.

PAUL FEINER