Food Safety Issues/Pot Roast left out

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Expert: Carol Schlitt - 9/28/2007


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.

Sorry....


Carol

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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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