Texas Ranked No. 4 for Summer Grocery Spoilage Risk, New Study Says

AUSTIN, Texas (TXAN 24) — Texas ranks fourth among U.S. states where summer conditions may put household groceries at greater risk of spoiling, according to a new study by Reinders Corporation.

The study examined all 50 states using summer heat, humidity, annual power outage exposure, and grocery replacement costs to create a Grocery Spoilage Risk Index.

Texas earned a score of 79.14 out of 100, trailing only Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Researchers found the state’s average summer temperature of 82.3 degrees Fahrenheit and dew point of 69.9 degrees contribute significantly to spoilage concerns. While Texas recorded fewer annual outage minutes than several higher-ranked states, its grocery replacement cost index of 98.5 increased the financial impact when food is lost.

“Texas ranks highly because its summer heat is among the strongest in the top 10, and grocery replacement costs are also higher than in many other high-risk states,” said Reinders Corporation CEO Gerrit Jan Reinders.

The report noted that the rankings do not measure actual food spoilage but instead compare environmental and infrastructure conditions that could increase risks during summer months.

Researchers used data from NOAA, NASA, the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis to develop the rankings.

Southern states dominated the top 10, highlighting how heat, humidity, and power interruptions can create challenges for households trying to keep food fresh during extreme summer weather.

Source: Reinders Corporation