Expert: Dorothy H, LCCE - 11/22/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

This afternoon I ate at a girlfriends house some macaroni with meatloaf, vegetables and sauce. The meat was well done.

She later on said during a conversation that she made the macaroni last night and after that fell asleep and did not put it in the fridge overnight.
The macaroni was heated to eating temperature in the microwave (so not overheated)

I am scared now that there is a chance I caught lysteria or toxoplasmoses..........

Could you please advice if I should take any actions ? I am 26 weeks pregnant now.

Thank you so much.
Wendy

ANSWER: Hi Wendy,

Macaroni doesn't go bad sitting out overnight and macaroni, even if it was out overnight, doesn't cause lysteria or toxoplasmosis. As long as it was just the macaroni that was left out overnight and not the meat, etc. you should be fine.

Dorothy H, LCCE

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Dorothy,

Thank you for your answer, the reason why I am worried is that there was meatloaf and vegetables in that macaroni, which also was out overnight....

Answer
Hi Wendy,

You won't get listeria or toxoplasmosis from eating meat left out overnight; those illnesses are caused by other things. However, you can get other food borne illnesses - generally it would have hit you anywhere from that day to 3-4 days later and symptoms generally include diarrhea, vomiting, etc -- typical flu-like symptoms. If you haven't had any symptoms by now, you should be fine. If you are having symptoms, make sure you are staying hydrated and call your doctor.

Because food borne illnesses aren't really my area of expertise; if you have further questions, you can contact our expert in out Food Safety Issue forum:
http://www.allexperts.com/el/Food-Safety-Issues

Dorothy H, LCCE