My refrigerator was accidentally unplugged last night for 16 hours. I had two packs of pork chops in it, still in the store packaging. The fridge was not opened during that time, and when I realized it was off, I immediately plugged it back in and checked the meat. It was still cool. I just opened the packages, and the meat smells OK; just like uncooked meat :D Are they still safe to eat if I cook them tonight?
2007-08-11 05:50:13 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
It is fine, but cook them up tonight
2007-08-11 06:05:24 · answer #1 · answered by Experto Credo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Refridgeration is a rather recent invention. Humans have been consuming meat since pre-historic times. I'm just guessing, but I'm sure 16 hours is a lot shorter time frame than from killing and cleaning an animal, hauling it back to the cave, getting a fire going. I recently left out a frozen chicken on the counter to thaw. I am 41 years old. My mother always put the chicken out to thaw. I know, they say not to do this, leave it in the fridge to thaw. No one ever got sick at mom's house. The problem is not leaving out the meat, but with the standards in which the meat is processed, ie. filthy slaughter houses, and packing plants, where the bacteria from one bad piece of meat can spread to all the good meat. Ther is a very good novel on the subject, about an immigrant that finds work in the chicago meat packing industry. It came out in the 1920's. I can't remember the name of it. This popular reading brought about the USDA, and the FDA to regulate our food and drugs. Today you may be eating pork from China, or who knows where
2007-08-11 06:18:27 · answer #2 · answered by ghg r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as they were still cool, no off color, and smelt okay than you are probably safe, at least that is how I check the meat that I cook. But yes cook them up right away do not try to freeze them or keep them any longer than you have to. It probably would be safe for you to cook them up right now and warm them up for supper.
2007-08-11 06:01:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they should be okay but if I were you I would smell them after they are cooked also to be certain.
Usually if they don't smell rank before you cook them they are good after you cook them but you will want to cook them through and don't leave any blood.
2007-08-11 06:04:38 · answer #4 · answered by FawneMine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless there was something wrong with them to begin with, it's still safe. If there was something wrong with them to begin with, well, you can't control that... and that still would have been the case even if your fridge hadn't been unplugged.
2007-08-11 06:10:13 · answer #5 · answered by alloflifeisacrisis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are OK, just cook until center meat temp is at least 160% F
2007-08-11 05:58:42 · answer #6 · answered by Jan Luv 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as they smell alright and their not slimy your good to go just make you cook them thoroughly
2007-08-11 05:58:59 · answer #7 · answered by youngscrn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the danger zones are above 40 degrees, and below 140 degrees
2007-08-11 06:00:11 · answer #8 · answered by a person of interest 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as they were still cool to the touch they are fine =)
Enjoy =)
2007-08-11 05:57:14 · answer #9 · answered by Helpfulhannah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Should be OK, providing they were freshly purchased (check date on pkg.) and you cook them well done. Smell and feel, as well as temp. are your best guide.
2007-08-11 06:18:46 · answer #10 · answered by ~ Floridian`` 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋