What to do- left chicken in the car overnight!

summerday

Morning all,

I went food shopping with my mum last night at about 6pm, and bought some fresh chicken. Stupidly, I left the bag in the car overnight, just remembered it now. Would any of you risk eating it or do I have to sling it in the bin?

Thanks, Sarah

honey28

If it was cold enough it may be ok. Does it smell or look off?

withabix

It will be fine. Bacteria doesn't just suddenly engulf a raw chicken.

What do you think people used to do before fridges? Die in their thousands of food poisoning every Sunday???

You're going to cook it anyway, killing off the bacteria.

Ever had pheasant? They're traditionally hung in a warm barn until the body drops off the head.

Might be a different story in the summer.

TOBRUK

Saraht, I can imagine how you feel, and I would probably be thinking shall I shan't I? If it was a very cold night, I would have a good look at it, smell it etc, I would think if I'd had the car heater on at all, was it sunny etc - here we had blue skies and was sunny - so then I definately would have thrown it (although at the same time feeling sick about the money loss), and even if I had cooked it straight away I would always be feeling uneasy when cooking and eating it, whether it was alright!

You don't say whether it is a whole chicken or portions, although it doesn't make much difference, as it should be stored at 40 degrees F. I have just looked up the web to see if I could find some information regarding the storage of chicken, and came across a 'food safety' site. There is a piece there that asks a question, 'What should I do to keep refrigerated and frozen foods safe during a power failure?' The advice was:

In general, refrigerated items should be safe as long as power is out no more than 4 hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard any perishable foods (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 40 °F for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture, or feels warm to the touch.

Obviously these are strict guides, but on the other hand I would be cautious and need to be very careful with chicken. I would be sorry to have to throw it, but I would be even more sorry if I was ill because of it.

PoshPaws_3

Unless it was unseasonably warm where you live, I'd say you will get away with it if you cook it relatively straight away (like, some time today).

Of course, if you open the packet and it smells dodgy - either cook it for the dog or its a bin job, I'm afraid. I certainly wouldn't freeze it raw.

thriftlady_2

I agree,eat it unless it obviously smells off.As iankirk said it won't suddenly become bad.

TOBRUK

I wouldn't like to say, and it's ok for anyone to say oh yes it will be fine but it is your decission. I have looked at another website regarding storing chicken:

Poultry is a perishable product, so if you have any doubts about the quality of the meat, it is best to throw it out, especially if there are signs of deterioration such as a foul smell or an off colour.
Bacteria thrives and multiplies rapidly at warm temperatures, yet grows very slowly in the refrigerator. For this reason you should store the poultry in the coldest part of the fridge immediately.

Poultry should never be kept at room temperature for more than three hours and should not be left in a hot car, as it is an extremely perishable food.

I would take it out of the package, have a good smell feel if it is warm and then make a decission. The information quoted from a couple of websites that I have enclosed are not to frighten you but for information - myself, I would feel in a dilemma!

susank

It is winter just now and cold enough to keep it ok - cook it and make sure fully cooked - it will be fine

mummysaver

I left a leg of lamb in the car once, and it was fine once cooked. But, and it is a big but, the weather was very cold outside, certainly at least as cold as my fridge.

So, if the weather where you live was cold whilst the chicken was out in the car, and it looks and smells okay, I would cook it.

Iona_Penny

I think it is ok and I would eat it, put it into an already hot oven though or put in microwave to get it started. What you need is for it to get up to cooking temp asap. Don't believe it can have been any warmer than your fridge last night or not a degree or 2.

Murtle

not much different last night I shouldn't have thought then if you'd left it out to defrost over night, and then left it out during the day to cook.

Smell it, honestly you'll know if it's off, even if you've never smelt off chicken before . But it shouldn't be, heat the oven up and chuck it in. You can freeze the cooked meat afterwards if you weren't planning on cooking it.

M
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