Check fridge before you eat, warn health agencies

Health officials have warned people to be careful about what they eat after many of Auckland's fridges and freezers were out of action for at least four hours, and more than twice that in some areas.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service said people should go through the food in their fridges carefully before eating it.

It said people needed to wash their hands thoroughly, for 20 seconds using soap and warm water, and then dry them thoroughly for 20 seconds to avoid cross-contamination from food.

Frozen food should be fine if the power was out for less than six hours, but food that had spoiled should be wrapped and discarded.

The Food Safety Authority said perishable foods - such as meat and dairy goods - should be eaten quickly.

Any rotting, slimy or tainted food should be thrown out.

If there were still ice crystals on frozen food, it was safe to refreeze. If defrosted food was still cold, it should be safe to eat but should not be refrozen.

The power outage was also a chance to remind people to have survival kits on standby.

Civil Defence's Get Thru website lists suggested contents for household survival kits, including things such as bedding, clothing, medication, hygiene supplies and enough food and water to last for at least three days.

* Auckland City's emergency operations unit has asked people not to wash their dishes, have showers or flush their toilets if there are more power cuts today.

Auckland City emergency operations spokesman Mark Fenwick said yesterday's weather and power cut led to a pump failure at the wastewater station near Kelly Tarlton's at Okahu Bay and there had been sewage spills.

There were no reports of contaminated tap water, but any extra loads on the wastewater system could result in more sewage overflows.

Although power had returned to most of Auckland last night, Mr Fenwick said there was a danger of further cuts - more high winds were expected last night and today and it was possible power lines could go down.