AllExperts > Food Safety Issues 
Search      
Food Safety Issues
Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Food Safety Issues Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Food Safety Issues Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Food Safety Issues
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Carol Schlitt
Expertise
I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).

Experience
I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Organizations
International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.

Education/Credentials
BS - University of Illinois MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Parenting/Family > Protecting your Home and Family > Food Safety Issues > Bacteria on Food

Food Safety Issues - Bacteria on Food


Expert: Carol Schlitt - 12/26/2006

Question
If a turkey that was cooked for Christmas dinner was left sitting out on the table in a cool environment for seven (7) hours until being put into the refrigerator, can it still be heated and eaten or even eaten cold or will it be unsafe because of bateria that has set in already? Please let me know ASAP. Thanks so much!

Answer
Hi Susan,

Potentially hazardous foods (phf)like turkey when allowed to sit at room temperature for an extended period of time (7 hours)are prime candidates for attracting and growing harmful bacteria. That's why we recommend that phf foods be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking or be kept above 140 degrees.  When you keep foods out of the danger zone (40 to 140 degrees) you reduce the chances of harmful bacteria from growing.

There are no guarantees on the safety of the turkey -- could be safe -- could be unsafe.  Because of this, we recommend not consuming the turkey.

Sorry....

Carol  

Ask a Question


 
User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. AllExperts, AllExperts.com, and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. All rights reserved.