If you leave cheese out all night and then put it in the fridge in the morning will it be good?

Question

We went grocery shopping last night and forgot about one bag and it had a block of cheese in it. I found it in the morning, so I grabbed it and put it in the fridge... is it still any good?

From the sounds of some of these answers it sounds like you think I left an open block of cheese out..... it's still in it's original packaging!!!

Answer 1

It's fine.

Cheese is often left out overnight at the grocery store. If there's a refrigeration malfunction, the cheese is one of the things that will be left out in an emergency situation. Now if you left raw meat out, I'd throw that away. Deli salads have probably already been out past their prime before you buy them. Don't even ask how I know that.

In addition, a block of cheese can be held at room temp for a lot longer than grated, shredded or sliced.

Down on the farm back in the dark ages we never, as in NEVER, refrigerated cheese with the belief that it would ruin it. It didn't kill me. Never made me sick.

Answer 2

Cheese is pretty durable but left in the sun or uncovered overnight is not the best way to treat cheese. It also depends on the type of cheese, hard cheeses will withstand an more harsh, unrefrigerated environment. Your cheese direct from the grocery store, if in manufacturer packaging or wrapped in the deli, will be fine as long as you didn't leave it on the hood of you car in which case get ready to make mac & cheese and forget it as a stand alone serving. In fact cheese is absolutely at it's taste best at room temperature.

Answer 3

It depends if it is a hard of soft cheese. Hard cheese can be left out of refridgeration (if not too hot) for weeks or months and still be good (that's kind of the point of cheese, actually) but soft cheeses should be kept refridgerated.

The other important factor is whether it was wrapped. I'm assuming you bought a block of cheese so it was tightly wrapped. In that case, even if it was warm where the cheese was left out, it was sealed so I wouldn't think bacteria could get to it to affect it.

Especially with harder cheeses, you can still eat them after they have some mould on it - you just cut it off and the cheese is fine underneath.

If it was meat, salad with mayo in it, something like that you'd definately have to toss if after 2 hours, but cheese is just fine if not refridgerated.

Answer 4

Your cheese is still fine, you mentioned it was a block of cheese which probably denotes a hard cheese. Hard cheese that is warmed and cooled over and over again will dry out, but just once won't affect the texture. It is still safe to eat.

Soft cheese (like ricotta or cottage) probably shouldn't be eaten if left out overnight.

Answer 5

I would err on the side of health and safety and throw it away. Refrigeration does not stop the growth of bacteria; it only slows it down. Therefore, if your food is not well-chilled you are playing Russian roulette with your life and the lives of family and friends.

While some sites talk about leaving cheese out, they are always quick to point out that most Americans cannot tolerate the bacteria. So, if you are living in another country, you might get away with eating unrefrigerated cheese but not if you have an all-American stomach.

P.S. Most cheeses are not aged at room temperature. To the person who wrote this, please read more facts about cheese.

Here's just one illness that can strike if you eat unrefrigerated perishable foods:

STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Disease: Staph

Source: Carried by people on skin, in boils, pimples, and throat infections; spread when carriers handle food. Staph bacteria produce toxins (poisons) at warm temperatures. Meat, poultry, salads, cheese, eggs, custards, and cream-filled desserts are susceptible foods.

Symptoms (after eating): Onset: 1-8 hours; vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps lasting 1-2 days. Rarely fatal.

Prevention: Cooking won't destroy staph poison, so practice good personal hygiene and sanitary food handling. Don't leave perishable food unrefrigerated over 2 hours. For quick cooling, place hot food in small containers no more than 4 inches deep; cover when cool and refrigerate.


MORE FACTS...

CHILL FACTS

Bacteria grow most rapidly in the Danger Zone—the unsafe temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F—so it’s key to keep foods out of this temperature range. And since cold temperatures keep most harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying . . . be sure to refrigerate foods quickly!
The Top 4 Cool Rules

1. The Chill Factor—Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within 2 hours of purchase or preparation, or within 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 °F. Marinate foods in the refrigerator.

2. The Thaw Law—Never defrost food at room temperature. Thaw food in the refrigerator. For quick thawing, submerge food in cold water in airtight packaging, or thaw food in the microwave if you’ll be cooking it immediately.

3. Divide and Conquer—Separate large amounts of leftovers into small, shallow containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator.

4. Avoid the Pack Attack—Don’t over-stuff the refrigerator. Cold air must circulate to keep food safe.

Answer 6

It's fine and safe to eat. Cheese is aged at room temperature. And it's still in the original packing so I wouldn't worry about it too much! :)

Answer 7

Yes it should still be good, as long as you dont see any mold or dried parts. Then cheese is one of those foods where you can cut the mold off and salvage the rest.

Answer 8

No, the temperture went up on the cheese. You have to keep cold food at a temp. of 40 degrees.

Answer 9

Of course, some cheese is aged at room temprature for months.

Answer 10

depends on the room temparature. cheese sweats and looses oil and moisture. because of this it goes a darker yellow, dry and cracks. I have never tasted it, but it doesnt look very enticing, plus bacteria can grow when its out and not cold!

so i would say no!