How long can you transport food in a cooler?


How long can you transport food in a cooler? Perishable foods stored in a cooler packed with ice remain safe to eat for their natural time span as long as the temperature inside remains below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the temperature inside rises, the food is only edible for two hours.


What foods keep well in a cooler?

Here are our top eight favorite foods to stash in your cooler before hitting the sand.
  • Sliced Fruit. The most common snack people turn to on a hot day is a bowl of sliced fruit. ...
  • Sliced Veggies and Dip. ...
  • Individual Ice Creams. ...
  • Electrolytes. ...
  • Pasta Salad. ...
  • Deli Meat Wraps. ...
  • Fresh Salad. ...
  • Parfaits.


How long can food stay in a cooler without ice?

Once the temperature inside rises, the food is only edible for two hours. If the temperature inside the cooler tops 90 F, the food is only safe to eat for one hour. Place an appliance thermometer inside the cooler to monitor temperature, adding ice as needed to keep the temperatures below 40 F.