Expert: Carol Schlitt - 10/3/2006

Question
I left a couple of steaks out for aout 12 hours after I just bought them; should I be worried?

Answer
Hi Rob,

Yes -- meat is considered a potentially dangerous food -- in other words when given the right environmental conditions -- it supports the growth of bacteria.  One of the conditions that encourages growth is a temperature between 40 and 140 degrees. When meat is allowed to sit at room temperature for an extended period of time, then the potential for growth of bacteria increases.

Does it happen every time?  Who knows? You can't see this bacteria, smell it or see it.... and some bacteria produce a toxin that is not innactivated by cooking.

Therefore, I can not recommend keeping the steaks.

Sorry....

Carol