AboutCarol 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
Question last night I cooked a pot roast -- turned it off around mid-night to let it cool before refrigerating -- and then forgot to refrigerate -- noticed at 7AM that it was left out -- can I reheat it ?
Answer Hi Maureen,
The recommendation is to not consume meats that have been left at room temperature over 2 hours.
While you would think reheating would kill any bacteria that decided to grow in the ideal conditions provided by the warm meat, some bacteria produce a toxin that is not deactivated by heat. And you can't tell if a toxin has been produced! Because of this, we recommend not reheating and eating the meat.
