Oh Geez

Oooh, tough one. I would not use it. I mean, bacteria grows really quickly. I just wouldn't feel comfortable using it.

Man, what a bummer. After all that hard work. Don't feel alone though. I've done stuff like that a few times, too.

throw it away.

why was it outside? you can put hot food in the fridge. i do it all the time, because there have been too many times I have left something on the kitchen counter, and found it in the morning.

You can use it. Not a problem. How do I know? I have left some things like that out on the kitchen counter where it was much warmer than outside. We ate it as a family and NO ONE got sick or had any problems. Now if you left it out for three days, I would get rid of it, but 24 hours is ok.

In America we have a paranoia about food and sanitation. The government adds to this as do some food companies. If you throw the food out they will SELL you some more and that improves their bottom line. I've been to the Safe Serve Class the government makes you go to if you open a food business. Only the ignorant or very nieve (sp?) actually believe everything the government says.

You can do more to keep your food from spoiling by washing your hands with soap and water than by putting it immediately in your frig.

Good luck to you and yours.

Do not listen to those that say it is okay. It sat at room temperature all night that is when bacteria DOES grow. IT IS NOT OKAY! I have taken ServSafe classes when I worked for a restaurant company - I promise you bacteria has grown.

When in doubt, throw it out.

I would chuck it-don't chance it with chicken. No way!

Throw it out unless the temp outside was below 40 all night long. Here is a quote directly from the FDA: " food that has been left too long on the counter may be dangerous to eat, but could smell and look fine. If a food has been left in the "Danger Zone" – between 40 and 140 °F – for more than 2 hours, discard it, even though it may look and smell good. Never taste a food to see if it is spoiled."

It is up to you.. Follow your gut instinct - Don't feed it to kiddos until you know its ok.

For me, personally, I would just keep it in a container, refrigerated and eat it within the next 3 days. There is a rule in my house, any left overs, not consumed (unless frozen) within 3 days gets thrown out.

You should be fine. I have done this a few times myself.. chicken pasta especially, left in the pot, and remembered the next morning - I immediately put it in Tupperware, labeled it and refrigerated it.

I don't think I would risk it. My mom always had a rule if it was out more than 4 hours to trash it, there would be too much bacteria on it. Food should be below 40 degrees or above 140 degrees to be safe.
Sorry :(

its meat and was out all night. throw it out.

I've heard 2 hours is the max for poultry. Go on line and ask questions about any kind of meat. Bet pork has far less time. AND anything that isn't well cooked has less time (hamburger, steaks).

Sorry - that is SO depressing when that happens! Yeah I think you have to toss it. Even cooked chicken is perishable and has to be refrigerated after a certain amount of time because bacteria starts to grow and spoil the food. The rule according to many cooks is any perishable foods that have been cooked should be left out no more than 2 hours. After 2 hours at room temp, you are risking your food growing all sorts of tummy-hating bacteria. Not worth it, even though I'm sure that soup was delicious. :(

i wouldnt chance it id just pitch it,

I hope it's already down the drain or out in the trash. Otherwise, your next question will be how to deal with food poisoning. Food bacteria starts to grow after 2 hours of sitting at room tempature. Has happened to me, now I set the timer so I won't forget. Better luck next time.

Updated

I hope it's already down the drain or out in the trash. Otherwise, your next question will be how to deal with food poisoning. Food bacteria starts to grow after 2 hours of sitting at room tempature. Has happened to me, now I set the timer so I won't forget. Better luck next time.

I'd just make sure to heat it long enough and hot enough.

I've done that before and I tossed it out. Not worth food poisoning.

I would bring your soup to a rapid boil then simmer for a minimum of 5 minutes.....but I would not serve to little ones. Enjoy a bowl yourself...and when you've had your fill, toss the rest. If you get a tummy ache....you'll know it was left out too long.

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I know people that used to leave pizza sit out all night and eat it the next day. They never got sick. We leave food sit out all day at family gatherings and no one ever gets food poisoning. I would say that it's probably ok.

I know its a bit late but...
If food sits in the temperature danger zone (40-140 degrees farenheit) for more than 6 hours it is certainly unsafe to eat.

I wouldn't take the chance myself. I HATE that. We all make the mistake sometimes.