how long can yogurt sit at room temperature before going bad?

Question

how long can yogurt sit at room temperature before going bad and making me sick? i bought a cup of yogurt from the supermarket for lunch, and because i was so busy this afternoon, it sat at my desk and i have not had a chance to eat it. should it eat it now? or throw it out?

Answer 1

New and unopened - I would think it could sit out for quite awhile, especially since its only been a few hours.

Yogurt contains live cultures and is fermented which creates an acidic enviroment that prevents bad bacteria from growing.

Homemade yogurt is usually made with milk and a starter culture which sits in a warm water bath overnight. If that's okay, then leaving it out on your desk for a couple hours is okay too.

Answer 2

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RE:
how long can yogurt sit at room temperature before going bad?
how long can yogurt sit at room temperature before going bad and making me sick? i bought a cup of yogurt from the supermarket for lunch, and because i was so busy this afternoon, it sat at my desk and i have not had a chance to eat it. should it eat it now? or throw it out?

Answer 3

As long as it is sealed up, yogurt is perfectly fine at room temperature. The good bacteria inside it are healthy, and bad bacteria can't get in if it is sealed. I have been packing yogurt in my purse for years, and often I forget about it til the next day so it's been out in room temperature > 24 hrs. It's fine. Never had any issues.

Answer 4

I bring yogurt to work everyday. It sits out for about 3 hours. It's perfectly fine. Just not cold. I'm too lazy to go and put it in our frig and put a label on it. I've never gone over 3 hours and would just pitch it then.

Answer 5

@falana67 Actually, the bacteria in yogurt is different than the bacteria that get you sick (Listeria). There's many species of bacteria. Plus, the containers are usually heat sealed, pasteurized or treated chemically to prevent any harmful bacteria to get in.
P.S I'm eating greek yogurt that sat out for 12 hours.

Answer 6

You should never leave food out for over 4 hours . Bacteria and food borne illness are started between the temperatures of 41 degrees and 140 degrees. If it has been less than 4 hours you should be okay.

Answer 7

I´m eating some creamy yogurt that´s been out for 37 hours now. Quite delicious. I´ll tell you later in case I start vomiting blood or have hallucinations.

Answer 8

i am reading this and eating a yogurt that sat out for 12 hours, maybe i should stop now.

Answer 9

First read the package. Secondly you could call the company for help to your question. As for me I put my stuff in fridge as soon as I get home and if left over night I would of already tossed it and not had to even ask anyone.