Overview

• An April 28 power outage across Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and southern France disrupted refrigeration for up to ten hours, affecting millions of households.
• AESAN and other agencies issued official guidelines on April 29, advising the disposal of perishable items like meat, fish, and dairy if refrigeration exceeded four hours.
• Freezers can safely preserve food for 24–48 hours if unopened, while partially thawed items with ice crystals may be refrozen under specific conditions.
• Whole fruits and vegetables remain safe if fresh, but cut produce and prepared foods should be discarded after prolonged exposure to higher temperatures.
• Consumers are entitled to seek compensation from electricity providers for spoiled food or appliance damage, with detailed documentation recommended for claims.