Any potentially hazardous product that has been above 40°F for 2 hours or more should probably be tossed - milk, meat, fish, poultry, processed vegetables, coleslaw, potato salad, etc. The higher the food temperature has gone, the more dangerous it becomes. That would mean having a thermometer that can measure the temperature of the food itself.
Think of the food in the same way as if you had it out to serve, then had to decide whether or not to keep the leftovers. Most storage guidelines err on the side of safety, and do not consider value.
When the power goes off (or the refrigerator stops working), it should be able to maintain adequate temperature around 4 hours if the door is kept closed.
These two sites are very good and provide more details about what foods should be discarded:
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_564_,00.html
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3760.htm
The USDA says to throw it out after 2 months in the refrigerator
If you find a moldy pickle in your refrigerator, you should throw it away immediately to prevent any potential health risks from consuming it. Make sure to clean the area where the moldy pickle was stored to prevent further contamination.
Do a taste test and if it doesn't taste right, then get rid of it.
Yes: if the pico de gallo looks dehydrated, or has fungus growing over it, you should throw it away.
Throw him off a wall! Ha!
when you are done with it or when it stops being cold.
FOREVER... Until you throw it away because it stinks
If it's rotten or stinky, throw it out.
Your bicep.
yes...i am looking for the exact make and model refrigerator if still available please please let me know. it would be going to a great new owner
Aside from thinking that the spider might have contaminated the food somehow, there would be no reason for tossing the food out. If the food has been properly sealed, there should not be a contamination issue.
Then I.... then I do a saving throw! A saving throw!