Expert: Carol Schlitt - 8/9/2008

Question
how long should cooked beef,ham,chicken sit out before being put in refrigerator?

Answer
Hi Bill,

The recommendation is that potentially hazardous foods -- meats, dairy, poultry,-- should not be at room temperature over 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees F.)

If you have cooked meat products, they should either be heading for the refrigerator or back into a hot environment within 2 hours of preparation.  In other words, the meats need to be kept either cold (40 degrees F or below) or hot (above 140 degrees F) to be considered safe for consumption.

If you are purchasing meats and poultry at the grocery store, you should make sure that you get them home and into your refrigerator or freezer within 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees F.)  Taking an ice chest and keeping perishable foods cold while you travel from grocery store to home improves the chances that the food will remain safe.

Carol