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coquus · 07-01-2011, 04:52 AM

I left a pork loin out overnight on the counter to thaw...it was in the deep freeze and weighs 2 lbs. I meant to put in in the fridge but I forgot. Should I throw it out?

Selkie · 07-01-2011, 05:13 AM

If it remained wrapped in plastic and was still cold to the touch this morning, I would still use it. If in doubt, open it, smell it, rinse it off under the faucet, pat it dry. It should still be good.

GB · 07-01-2011, 08:39 AM

I am on the opposite site os Selkie. I would say it is not worth the risk. The general rle of thumb is that meat should nit be in the dNger zone (40-140 F) for longer than two hours. Smelling is not a reliable way to tell if there is an issue. Neither is touching to feel if it is cool. Food poisoning can take. Any forms and can be as mild as a little discomfort all the way up to death. Is it worth the risk? For me the answer will always be no.

BreezyCooking · 07-01-2011, 10:26 AM

This is always going to be a personal (& sometimes volatile - lol!) issue, with good points & personal experience presented by both sides.

Speaking for myself, I would definitely use it. I frequently leave 2 to 2-1/2 pound chickens out overnight to defrost (on purpose), & the following morning they're always still cold to the touch & frequently still frozen inside. In well over 30 years, no problems. I'd be very hard put to toss out a perfectly good pork loin.

And before any flaming, I do KNOW that this is my choice/opinion & does not agree with government standards for meat defrosting.

pacanis · 07-01-2011, 10:45 AM

All I know is that you can leave a hunk of refrigerated (not frozen) meat on the counter for six hours trying to get to room temp and you are lucky if it gets warmer than 64F in that time.
Frozen, probably wrapped, just overnight... I'd give myself a 70% chance that I'd cook it and eat it. Emphasis on "me" and no kids, elderly or sick people involved.
On the other hand, it's just 2 lbs of pork loin. That can be replaced pretty cheaply.

GB · 07-01-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacanis

All I know is that you can leave a hunk of refrigerated (not frozen) meat on the counter for six hours trying to get to room temp and you are lucky if it gets warmer than 64F in that time.

which is WELL within the danger zone.

pacanis · 07-01-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB

which is WELL within the danger zone.

Yes, but there is a time factor involved, isn't there?
It's not like the OP's pork loin was in the danger zone all that time. Certainly not starting out frozen.
But like Breezy said, it's a personal choice.

GB · 07-01-2011, 10:52 AM

The issue with statements like "I have done it this way for 100 years and neither myself or anyone else has ever gotten sick" is that there is simply no way that those people know that is true. Food poisoning can take up to 3 days before any symptoms show and can include things like headache, diarrhea, stomach ache, and other such mild discomforts. Only a doctor can diagnose food poisoning. So unless these people have been informed of every minor ache and pain that anyone they have fed has experience for days after AND that person has been checkout by by a doctor then there is simply no way of knowing if they have given someone food poisoning.

GB · 07-01-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacanis

Yes, but there is a time factor involved, isn't there?
It's not like the OP's pork loin was in the danger zone all that time. Certainly not starting out frozen.
But like Breezy said, it's a personal choice.

Yes, the time factor is two hours. Of course this is not a hard and fast rule. Food does not go from being safe at 39 degrees and one hour and 59 minutes to being unsafe at 40 and 2 hours. There are a ton of factors that come into play. But for me when it is a possibility of death vs. A few wasted bucks the decision is an easy one.

Robo410 · 07-01-2011, 05:10 PM

Don't have enough info. Where was it bought? small family butcher or big box store warehouse food area?? Freezer wrap means?? cryovac or lined paper wrap?? overnight means 6 hrs or 10 hrs?? When found was it cool to the touch was it cold inside (anyone take it's temp with an instaread thermometer?? Where is this person?? North woods UP Michigan or South Texas without AC.

When faced with no info to judge...throw it out. Because this is a message board and not my immediate family ... throw it out.