Health & Fit How Can I Tell If Food Left at Room Temperature Is Safe to Eat?

Thanks to the miracle of modern refrigeration, we’re able to keep perishable foods longer and no longer have to go shopping every single day for fresh food. Though most of us probably don’t think about how amazing that is on a regular basis, we definitely pay attention when something goes wrong. If you’ve ever gotten a mouthful of chunky, spoiled milk or eaten a mayonnaise-based salad that sat in the sun too long at a picnic and later got sick because of it, you realize quickly that our ability to keep foods in cold storage is a really big deal.

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So how long is too long to keep food at room temperature that’s supposed to be refrigerated? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

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At room temperature , those organisms can multiply very rapidly, producing toxins that can make you sick. You can NOT rely on smell to detect them As leaving cooked food at room temperature was "normal" in your country, I wonder if there wasn't also a prevalence of food poisoning that was also

How do I know if food left at room temperature is still safe to eat ? Foods that are dangerous are the ones you would expect: anything which requires refrigeration. Potatoes, for example, are perfectly safe to keep at room temperature when raw, but must be refrigerated once cooked.

How long has been out of the fridge?

According to the USDA, put perishable foods in the refrigerator within two hours of purchasing it. If it’s above 90 degrees, then you only have an hour, so hop to it. This also goes for serving foods at a dinner, picnic, or other event where you have dishes sitting out for prolonged periods. If that’s the case, also try serving the perishable item in a container that is nestled in a bowl of ice.

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It is a potentially hazardous food?

Potentially hazardous foods exist in a form capable of supporting rapid and progressive growth of microorganisms, according to Princeton University’s Environmental Health and Safety department. Examples include any food which consists in whole or in part of milk or milk products, eggs, meat, poultry, rice, fish, shellfish, and edible crustaceans. These foods in particular need to be served at safe temperatures. Per Princeton:

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Food left at room temperature for too long becomes a breeding ground, a How to Safely Handle Food . How Long Can Food Stay in the Temperature Danger Zone? This allows for an early notice that corrective action is needed; which then ensures the food being served is safe to eat is free of

“ SAFE ” to cook and eat ? Yes. With one exception, there is nothing that can happen to fresh raw fish, left at room After five hours on the counter at room temperature , even if you don't get sick, the quality of the fillets has likely deteriorated greatly. How do you tell if a fish is fresh enough for sushi?

“All potentially hazardous food should be kept below 41^oF (for cold foods) or above 135^oF (for hot foods) except during necessary preparation time or a short display period. Hot or cold holding equipment may be required to store and display food during an event. A food thermometer is also required if potentially hazardous foods will be served.”

Has it entered the food danger zone?

Food left out for too long at room temperature is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella to grow to dangerous levels that can cause illness. According to the USDA:

“Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. This range of temperatures is often called the ‘Danger Zone.’”

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When in doubt, throw it out

Not only does this rhyme, but it’s really important. If it’s a potentially hazardous food, err on the side of caution. Having the last few spoons of chicken salad isn’t worth getting sick over.

This story was originally published in November 2013 and was updated on October 29, 2020 to provide more information and meet Lifehacker style guidelines.