Important Notice: Our web hosting provider recently started charging us for additional visits, which was unexpected. In response, we're seeking donations. Depending on the situation, we may explore different monetization options for our Community and Expert Contributors. It's crucial to provide more returns for their expertise and offer more Expert Validated Answers or AI Validated Answers. Learn more about our hosting issue here.

My refrigerator door was accidentally left open overnight. Can I still eat the food inside?

April 26, 2017accidentally door EAT food Left overnight refrigerator

0

Posted

My refrigerator door was accidentally left open overnight. Can I still eat the food inside?

1 Answer

0

Posted

The answer to this question depends on the temperature of the food and how long it was held without refrigeration. Use a food thermometer to measure the temperature on the inside of the food. If the foods are not above 41F, then it should be safe to eat. If the food has been above 41F, then it is critical to determine how long it has been above 41F. If the food has been above 41F for less than 2 hours, it should be safe for immediate use. If the food has been above 41F for more than 2 hours, then it is safest to discard these items.