I left Chinese food out for 3 hours--can I still eat it???

Question

I ordered Chinese food and then left it on the counter for about 3 hours...I stuck it in the refrigerator after that. Is it OK to eat now?

Answer 1

That is pushing it.

If it got below 70degF in the first 2 hours, you are probably ok.   It really depends on how the food was handled when it was initially prepared.  If it was handled properly, you would be fine.

Be sure to re-heat it until it is VERY HOT, above 160deg for at least 15 seconds.  

If I were in a restaurant kitchen, I would throw it out.

Answer 2

i wouldn't be too afraid of it, honestly.  they put a lot of salt into their dishes and salt was used as a preservative long before refridgerators!

Answer 3

Please throw it out. You are at serious risk for food poisoning. My rule of thumb: When in Doubt, Toss it OUT...

Answer 4

no, food should only be left out 2 hours.  you could risk getting food poisoning. throw it out!

Answer 5

If the chinese food was at 131 degrees or higher 3 hours prior to being put in the fridge you may be safe, but you really only have about 1.5 hour at the cooling stage before bacteria can start to grow, once they start they are in there even if you put the food in the fridge, unless you reheat to above 131 for atleast 5 min.

The bacteria wont kill you it will just make you sick, if you have fresh ginger have some of that with the chinese food it will kill bacteria.

Answer 6

Anything with meat just ditch it. You should be okay with veggies. If you have ANY concerns then don't take ANY chances.

The Muse

Answer 7

Throw it out!

Take out from Chinese restaurants are usually put together from pre-made sauces mixed with newly-fried or stir-fried veggies and meats. They do not make fresh sauce for each order. Because of this, the food will spoil faster.

Except for fried rice, and anything fried without sauce.

Answer 8

I'm weird about leaving food out I wouldn't eat it.

Answer 9

no i would feed it to the trash can

Answer 10

yeah put it in the microwave

Answer 11

The most important thing is how long did you leave it in the refrigerator? 12 hours or less - might be ok. A whole day - throw it out.

Answer 12

sure, microwaving it should kill all of the germs or anything

Answer 13

In your shoes I would not eat it. Toss it out better safe than to end up in the ER with food poisoning.  It's bound to have bacteria growth.

check this web page out for more info

http://www.dec.state.ak.us/EH/fss/consum...