Foodborne illnesses are commonly associated with raw meats that sit out for longer than they should. Meat provides the ideal environment for bacteria to breed, so the U.S. Department of Agriculture cautions consumers against thawing raw meat at room temperature. In fact, raw meat should never sit out in temperatures above 40 F for extended periods of time – and never longer than two hours for any reason. Show The Two-Hour RuleThe type of meat doesn't matter when it comes to the two-hour rule. If it’s raw, it’s no longer safe to eat once it sits out at room temperature for two hours. Once you've reached the two-hour time limit, bacteria that is naturally found on raw meat begins to grow to levels that are unsafe for consumption. Do not refrigerate or cook meat that sits out for more than two hours; throw it away. RefrigerationDon’t allow raw meat to sit out after you buy it. Instead, refrigerate raw meat immediately after purchasing it from the supermarket or butcher. Although refrigeration does not destroy bacteria on raw meat, the 40 F or less temperatures inside the refrigerator do inhibit their growth. Bring a cooler filled with ice to store your meat if you are not going straight home. The icy temperatures of the cooler keep raw meat safe from excess bacterial growth until you can get it to the refrigerator. FreezingPopping a package of raw beef, lamb, pork or veal in the refrigerator after purchase gives you about three to five days of storage time before cooking is necessary; poultry and ground meats last a little less in the fridge – up to two days. The same raw meats last for an indefinite amount of time in the freezer, often up to a year before taste and texture begins to change. Although the changes are not a safety issue, they may affect the intended taste of the dishes you prepare. Safer ThawingThere are a few ways that you can safely thaw frozen meats. The easiest is to take raw meat out of the freezer the night before to give it plenty of time to thaw in the refrigerator. Last-minute thawing is best done in an airtight, watertight package placed inside a bowl of cold water in the sink. Change the cold water every half hour until the raw meat thaws. Microwave thawing is also safe. Just make sure that you cook the meat immediately after microwave or cold-water thawing, because once the raw meat reaches 40 F, bacteria will begin to grow rapidly. Related Articles How Long Can Meat Stay out of the ... How to Keep Lunch Meat How Long Does It Take for Ground Beef ... If Meat Is Frozen, How Long Does It ... How to Store Cooked Ground Beef Can You Defrost Hamburger in Hot Water? What Does It Mean When Hamburger Smells ... How Long Do You Keep Meat in Freezer? Should I Cook My Turkey if It Is Smelly? Do You Thaw Hamburger Patties Before ... Is Frozen Ground Beef Left out for 3 ... How Long Do Clams Last Unrefrigerated? FDA Food Storage Temperature Guidelines Rules for Thawing and Refreezing Meat Do Pork Chops Stay Good When Frozen? Can You Cook Meat Gone Bad? How Long Does It Take for Pork to Spoil ... How to Know When Pork Roast Goes Bad How Long Can I Keep Frozen Whole ... Indications of Refrigerated Cooked Meat ... References
Writer Bio Jonae Fredericks started writing in 2007. She also has a background as a licensed cosmetologist and certified skin-care specialist. Jonae Fredericks is a certified paraeducator, presently working in the public education system. How long can you leave raw meat out before it goes bad?According to the USDA, you should not leave raw steak - or any raw meat - out for more than two hours. If it is a warm day and the ambient temperature is above 90 °F, then the steak shouldn't be kept out for longer than an hour.
How long does it take meat to spoil at room temperature?TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal. Just ONE bacterium, doubling every 20 minutes, can grow to over 2,097,152 bacteria in 7 hours!
How do you know when raw meat is spoiled?Spoiled meat will have a distinct, pungent smell that will make your face scrunch up. Texture – In addition to an unpleasant scent, spoiled meats can be sticky or slimy to the touch. Color – Rotten meats will also undergo a slight change in color. Poultry should be anywhere from a bluish-white to yellow in color.
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How long does it take raw meat to spoil?
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