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