Can you eat lettuce that was left out at room temperature overnight?

Answer 1

Depends on what the food was and what the weather was like overnight. Bacteria starts to proliferate around 45 degrees fahrenheit, but keeping food well below 40 degrees is necessary to protect its quality. If it was a really chilly night, I wouldn't worry about it. My mother used to keep milk in the car overnight in the middle of winter (when the ave night time temp is about 35) if there wasn't immediately any room in the refrigerator, then would grab it in the morning! We never got sick!

Answer 2

Romain Lettuce May Grow Out Of The Ground But Don't Be Fooled Because Left Out In Anything But Refrigerator Temperatures Is Putting You And Your Family At Risk For E-Coli Romain Lettuce Naturally Has Gases That After A Time Are Let Out And Will Cause You To Get Sick If You Eat Old Lettuce

Answer 3

Processed produce should be handled like potentially hazardous food and should be kept refrigerated. So, it depends upon the outside temperature and whether the bag was perfectly sealed. If it was sealed, never opened, and it was as cold as a refrigerator outside than yes, it's perfectly fine. However, even if sealed, if it was extremely warm out than no I would not recommend eating it. Even if the lettuce doesn't look spoiled, you cannot see pathogenic bacteria that might have grown.

It could be safe to eat, but you are the one who will have to determine if using it is worth the risk.

Answer 4

Yes, as long as it's just plain lettuce with no creamy-type salad dressing on it.

But if is has been processed - washed and cut - the cut surfaces could have provided nutrients for pathogens. I would not use it if left out overnight. Even the so-called ready-to-eat bags of salad greens should be thoroughly rinsed off and drained before using.

Answer 5

I would not recommend it.