Chook Me!

Salmonella, I know that poultry & fish are the main problems with this, but I have a ? about..... ?

If these products are cooked good and say a person leaves the chicken on the counter in a bowl for 9 - 10 hours, mind you it's a very cool kitchen, because of the floor being above the basement, my kitchen remains very cool, sometimes kind of cold to me anyway, and of course at night it's colder, which this was, I live in a apt where they supply the heat and they only allow it to go just so high, so for me, it's cold a lot, but anyway back to the purpose of this ?, if I left chicken/cooked that long out, is it safe to eat? I was a whole pkg and non was eaten after cooking and I hate to throw it out but of course health is a 1st priority, or what if I put it in the oven again and cook it for say 15 mins at 350 till it gets good and hot, wouldn't that kill the bacteria, if it had developed in the chicken in those hours out? Was so tired, I forgot to put in frig, what a waste, if I have to toss....I would like both scenerio's ?'s answered PLEASE, is it safe 10 hrs out & not have to cook it, or should I cook to make it safe? FYI, it's just me that I cook for, no one else, so I would be taking the chance for only myself.....

Public Comments

1. If you are so worried about it, then it's better not to take the risk of eating the chicken.
2. Hi Debbie ! In recent events, salmonella has been a problem in vegetables and fruits. Food borne Organisms Associated with Chicken: As on any perishable meat, fish or poultry, bacteria can be found on raw or undercooked chicken. They multiply rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F (out of refrigeration and before thorough cooking occurs). Freezing doesn't kill bacteria but they are destroyed by thorough cooking. I suggest you read the following provided by the link ; How to Handle Chicken Safely Safe Cooking Partial Cooking Storage Times
3. Back when I was a kid and my mom would cook sunday brunches, after we all ate, rest would sit in the cooking dishes most of the day. People nibbled off and on, but the point is, it sat out for hours with no ill effects to us. I've also done what you did and I just put it in the fridge the next morning and none of us has been sick.