Is it okay if the food is just sitting on top of something clean like styrofoam? What about foods that are moist (pizza, pork chops) as opposed to dry, like carrots?
How about if the garbage bag is brand new and you drop a fresh green pepper in there accidentally...would you eat it still or is it nasty simply because it is in "the garbage?"
2006-08-27 02:18:50 · 21 answers · asked by Sir Sandwich Slayer 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
If I'm starving, I supposed I might dive in.
2006-08-27 02:21:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I think there's a number of variables that affect the situation...
I've put fully packaged food into the bin before by accident, taken it out and used it within a short period of time- but I think the line gets drawn if the uncovered food comes into contact with stuff in the bin that can leave residue (other foods, wastes etc. basically anything that isn't cardboard, styrafoam, etc.), if it has been left in the bin for a period of time longer than a few minutes, if the food is absorbent in any way and also the type of other stuff you have in your bin.
Out the back of my local bakery there is a huge skip that they fill up everyday with garbage bags full of bread, dohnuts, etc. (all food that they can't serve more than a day old)- this food is perfectly good and untouched, but they can't sell it by law incase someone gets poisoning or whatever-- if I was a homeless person, I'd seriously be scouting their bin for bread and stuff.
As for the last question about the fresh green pepper and the brand new garbage bag- I think that, depending on the state of my rubbish bin, I'd probably use it- I'd give it a good wash first, but if the bag is new and hasn't had anything else in it, I don't see why bother wasting it... it would probably have come into contact with more germs, being touched by people at the supermarket and in packaging than would be in your bin anyway.
2006-08-27 02:43:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends entirely on the situation. If you are cleaning potatoes or peppers and you accidentally drop it in; as long as it has not touched anything that will contaminate it; then it is safe to take it out, wash it off and use it.
If you are starving and have no other options; regrettably there are people in this world who live each day under these circumstances; then it would not matter to you if it was a garbage can or the road side.
Moist things or not if it has not been contaminated by other garbage; for example hairs, lint, kleenex, etc; then you could if you wash it off properly first.
Use your own good judgement. If it turns your stomach then leave it there.
2006-08-27 03:17:27 · answer #3 · answered by plantladywithcfids 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have no idea of who touched that food, or how long it has been sitting around at room temperature. You can easily get exposed to hepatitis or food poisoning by eating out of garbage cans or dumpsters. I know that "dumpster diving" is a fad with some young people right now. After a few hospital stays they will learn!
As for the green pepper: If it was my own garbage can, and I planned to cook the green pepper, then I would probably wash it off and use it. (Did it land in fresh cat poo? Then no thanks!) I get veggies that were laying in dirt and even composted manure, wash them off and eat them. So does everybody else, whether they realize it or not!
2006-08-27 02:32:19 · answer #4 · answered by pondering_it_all 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can eat food from the garbage can when you become a raccoon. Seriously though, food is in the garbage for a reason. I also read the news report about 'freegans' who only eat free food out of the garbage since it's destined for the dump and they think it's a waste of good food. However, once it's in the garbage, it's been exposed to bacteria and other things that aren't good for you. While I applaud the freegans' sentiments (since 16,000 children die every day from hunger), I think there are more effective things you can do to encourage responsible use of resources. Stay out of the garbage for your own good.
2006-08-27 02:26:48 · answer #5 · answered by crispy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah if you're a bum. Having said that supermarket dumpsters are often full of brand new things including packaged food that is more than edible. If you want to stock up, and you don't have much money, go for it. As for the accidental garbage, you can wash it and eat it, no problem.
2006-08-27 02:25:07 · answer #6 · answered by Wotan210 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Never! Garbage is just garbage and it is never okay to eat something from it. Even if the bag is clean, there was still garbage in it before.
2006-08-27 05:14:02 · answer #7 · answered by jfdsalkf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, I am a total germ-phobe and I would take the green pepper out and use it. Of course, I would probably wash it with dish soap, but still....
In general, I would say to use your own judgment. I would never take something out of somebody else's garbage. But if it is your own, go for it.
2006-08-27 02:22:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only homeless bums and college students eat from garbage cans, or even ask about it. Be a pig or be a civilized human being - it is your choice.
2006-08-27 02:23:40 · answer #9 · answered by Mr Smarty Pants 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all merely a matter of personal preference. I have short hair and guys such as it. And i prefer a man with short hair over a man with long hair because long hair tends to make guys look as well girly.
2017-01-22 04:40:49 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would eat things that are fully packaged and unsealed such as bags of chips or unwrapped hamburgers.
2006-08-27 02:25:38 · answer #11 · answered by pinkvariety 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋