The following information was provided by Worth County Extension Agent, Blake Crabtree, concerning how long food can safely be kept and consumed without refrigeration.
| Type of Food | Held above 40 °F for over 2 hours |
| MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD | |
| Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; soy meat substitutes | Discard |
| Thawing meat or poultry | Discard |
| Meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, or egg salad | Discard |
| Gravy, stuffing, broth | Discard |
| Lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef | Discard |
| Pizza — with any topping | Discard |
| Canned hams labeled “Keep Refrigerated” | Discard |
| Canned meats and fish, opened | Discard |
| CHEESE | |
| Soft Cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, queso fresco | Discard |
| Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, Romano | Safe |
| Processed Cheeses | Safe |
| Shredded Cheeses | Discard |
| Low fat Cheeses | Discard |
| Grated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar) | Safe |
| DAIRY | |
| Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, soy milk | Discard |
| Butter, margarine | Safe |
| Baby formula, opened | Discard |
| EGGS | |
| Fresh eggs, hard cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg products | Discard |
| Custards and puddings | Discard |
| CASSEROLES, SOUPS, STEWS | Discard |
| FRUITS | |
| Fresh fruits, cut | Discard |
| Fruit juices, opened | Safe |
| Canned fruits, opened | Safe |
| Fresh whole fruits, coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits, dates | Safe |
| SAUCES, SPREADS, JAMS | |
| Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish | Discard if above 50 °F for over 8 hrs. |
| Peanut butter | Safe |
| Jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, pickles | Safe |
| Worcestershire, soy, barbecue, Hoisin sauces | Safe |
| Fish sauces (oyster sauce) | Discard |
| Opened vinegar based dressings | Safe |
| Opened creamy based dressings | Discard |
| Spaghetti sauce, opened jar | Discard |
| BREAD, CAKES, COOKIES, PASTA, GRAINS | |
| Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillas | Safe |
| Refrigerator biscuits, rolls, cookie dough | Discard |
| Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes | Discard |
| Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette | Discard |
| Fresh pasta | Discard |
| Cheesecake | Discard |
| Breakfast foods — waffles, pancakes, bagels | Safe |
| PIES, PASTRY | |
| Pastries, cream filled | Discard |
| Pies — custard, cheese filled, or chiffon; quiche | Discard |
| Pies, fruit | Safe |
| VEGETABLES | |
| Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spices | Safe |
| Greens, pre cut, pre washed, packaged | Discard |
| Vegetables, raw, whole | Safe |
| Vegetables, cooked; tofu; hummus | Discard |
| Vegetable juice, opened | Discard |
| Baked potatoes | Discard |
| Commercial garlic in oil | Discard |
| Potato Salad | Discard |
Source: USDA Food – Safety and Inspection Service. Accessed 10/10/2016.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food– Safety-education/get-answers/food– Safety-factsheets/
emergency-preparedness/a-consumers-guide-to-food– Safety-severe-storms-andhurricanes/
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