Food that has come in contact with flood waters may be contaminated. It is important to know what you can and cannot eat after the flood. Screw caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped cap food containers are not waterproof and are not safe to eat after the flood if they came in contact with the water.

Canned foods exposed to flood waters - discard any cans that are leaking, punctured, dented, swelling, or rusting. Some foods can be salvaged after the flood. But steps must be followed to ensure their safety.

• Remove the label. It may harbor dirt and germs. Use an indelible marker to write the contents of the can on the lid.
• Wash the can with hot soapy water.
• Rinse it well.
• Sanitize by either: Immersion in water and then allowed to boil for 2 minutes OR placed in a bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water) and allowed to sit for 15 minutes.
• Allow the can to air dry thoroughly. At least one hour.
• Use the canned item as soon as possible.

Cleaning your cooking utensils thoroughly is very important.

You should:

• Thoroughly wash them with hot soapy water.
• Rinse completely.
• Sanitize by immersing in bleach solution (1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water)
• Allow to air dry completely

Your counter tops should be:

* Thoroughly washed with hot soapy water
* Rinsed completely
*Sanitized the bleach solution and allowed to air dry.

Special note: always use unscented plain bleach. No lemon (or any other flavor) scented bleaches should ever be used to sanitize your canned foods, cooking utensils, or counter tops.

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