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 Cooked meatballs (ground meat, 2 eggs) were left at room temperature for 9 hours. Are they safe to eat?
Answer Hi Dee,
Nope....
Potentially hazardous foods (meat and eggs) are perfect foods for fostering the growth of harmful bacteria. Leaving them at room temperature (another perfect environmental growth factor) only encourages any bacteria to grow. The problem is that some bacteria produce a toxin that is not inactivated by further cooking. Thus this old adage -- I'll just heat them up and they'll be safe -- isn't always true.
Since you can't taste, see or smell bacteria that can make you ill, our recommendation is to not consume meats left out at room temperature for over 2 hours.
