Expert: Chris Manley - 12/11/2008

Question
I put out my pork chops on the counter to defrost.  I forgot to refrigerate them,
and when I got up in the morning they were defrosted, and room temperature.  
Are they still okay to prepare and eat?

Answer
Potentially hazardous food should be discarded if it has been allowed to remain between 41 and 140 degrees for more than four hours.  Beyond this time bacterial growth may have begun on the surface of the meat, leading to spoilage, and increasing the risk of foodborne illness.