unchilled cooked mince

[poppyseed]

A friend recently cooked some mince and onions in gravy and, as there was no room in the fridge, she left it covered on the worktop overnight. I advised my friend that the meal was unsafe to eat (even if reheated thoroughly), as it had not been chilled at all - left at temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees C for over 18 hours. Was i being over- cautious? The meal was to be consumed by a very elderly adult.

[sukkie]

In winter I would have said it is fine to eat but in summer, I would not advise this.

[LB2]

I have done food hygiene courses and as long as it was heated up thouroghly to well over 65 degrees it would have been ok.

[Zeddy]

A big NO.
The time and temperature are ideal growing conditions for many pathogenic bacteria, some being spore formers that can survive cooking and then flourish when conditions are ideal.
Once the mince had been cooked it should have been cooled quickly (aim for less than 90 minutes) and then either chill in the fridge (<5oC) or freeze. It should then be thoroughly reheated when used (>75oC).


LB2 back to the Elementary food Hygiene course for you!

[beerbelly]

Agree with Zeddy , any food I accidentally leave out overnight either goes in the bin , or the dog .

[pastafreak]

I agree with zeddy.....and LB2-!!!! forgoodness' sake-it WASN'T stored properly!!!!

[chazza]

I agree with Zeddy, the bacteria will have been multiplying all night and will be particularly unsafe for an elderly person. It could even kill them as happened to my friend's mum

[chazza]

I agree with Zeddy - the bacteria will have been multiplying all night and would be particularly unsafe to give to an elderly person - it could kill them, as happened to a friend of mine's mother.

[chazza]

I agree with Zeddy, the bacteria will have been multiplying all night and will be particularly unsafe for an elderly person. It could even kill them as happened to my friend's mum

[chazza]

I agree with Zeddy, the bacteria will have been multiplying all night and will be particularly unsafe for an elderly person. It could even kill them as happened to my friend's mum

[chazza]

I agree with Zeddy, the bacteria will have been multiplying all night and will be particularly unsafe for an elderly person. It could even kill them as happened to my friend's mum

[chazza]

I agree with Zeddy, the bacteria will have been multiplying all night and will be particularly unsafe for an elderly person. It could even kill them as happened to my friend's mum

[funnygirl]

I agree with Zeddy.
Chazza, What happened to your friend's mum? I hope it is not what you're implying!!!!

[chazza]

She was elderly and died after getting food poisoning from chicken. After death the family were told that it was the food poisoning that killed her

[Jillius]

When I was young I went to stay at a friend's house and I had noticed a big pan of stew on the cooker. It had obviously been there for ages because it was covered in a thick skin and dead flies. Imagine my horror when her mum told my friend to warm it up so me and her could have it for tea !!!!! I faked a sudden illness and my mum had to go and pick me up. I don't think I'd have lived to tell the tale. I never did find out if my mate had eaten it :-(

[Gef]

Sukkie obviously has no heating and beerbelly just doesn't like dogs.

As long as it was covered with a tight lid when it was still piping hot I don't see a problem. I'm still alive.