Food Safety Issues/Food presevation

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Expert: Carol Schlitt - 7/14/2007


Question
I made a pot of beef soup and accidently left it out of the refrigerator overnight. Will it be safe to eat?

Answer
Hi Jeanne,

Unfortunately, it is not recommended to consume a potentially hazardous food that has been left at room temperature for over 2 hours. As this soup can easily support the growth of bacteria it is important that it be cooled and refrigerated within 2 hours of making to ensure safety.

Reheating a soup that has been left at room temperature does not automatically make it safe.  Some bacteria produce a toxin that is not inactivated by heat.  In other words, you can reheat the soup and still become ill.

Sorry...I wish I had better news for you.

Carol

Food Safety Issues

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Volunteer

Carol Schlitt

Expertise

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

Experience

I am a former Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety, having retired August 1, 2010. I am a certified HACCP manager, a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health and a 3rd party food safety and OSHA auditor of restaurants.

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

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

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