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 I went to the grocery store last night about 9:30pm and forgot to put a bag away! I found it this morning about 11:30am. It was in the house on the side table, it had yogurt, hot dogs, bacon and cream cheese in it. It was not above 70 in the house. Should it be eaten or thrown away?
Answer Hi Cindy,
Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (yogurt, hot dogs, bacon, cream cheese) that have been at room temperature for over 2 hours. While they may be perfectly safe, you've given any bacteria that is present the perfect temperature to grow. Until we have a way of knowing if food that has been abused by temperature is still safe, the recommendation will be to not consume the food.
