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Original poster

Food poisoning panic

33 replies

littlemissgrumpy1 · 30/12/2023 20:22

I know no one can tell me whether we’re going to be ok or not but I’m a massive panicker when it comes to illness and I’m really worried. Googled and it’s looking pretty bleak. I accidentally left pate out of the fridge on Boxing Day overnight. Meant to chuck it but somehow didn’t then opened a new packet on 28th. Today I got the pate out and had some and so did my 8 yr old. I’ve just realised it was the other one that I’d clearly forgotten to chuck. He didn’t have much but I had a couple of crackers worth.
so it was left out and a few days old. I’m so neurotic about food I can’t believe I’ve done that. I’m already convinced I feel sick! Is there anything I can do? Or just wait?! 😢

OP posts:
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Original poster
littlemissgrumpy1 · 31/12/2023 09:55

Well we survived the night. I still feel a bit queasy but could be lack of sleep. So hoping I can try to forget about it today.
really appreciate you taking time to respond and reassure! X

OP posts:
PriOn1 · 31/12/2023 00:36

There are lots of causes of food poisoning, from toxins that bacteria produce, to infection with the bacteria themselves, or viruses or moulds. The incubation period can be under an hour, right up to weeks.

In general, food companies are expected to assume that customers will be careless and might forget to put food in the fridge, or might carry raw meat in a warm car for longer than the recommended time. So if the food companies have done their job right and kept the bacteria to a minimum during production, then it’s quite likely OP will be fine, just as the child who ate the raw chicken was fine.

Lifeinlists · 30/12/2023 23:27

Usually food poisoning shows up pretty promptly
Actually it doesn't, apart from contaminated rice.

OP it was highly unlikely to be contaminated in the first place so leaving it out overnight in December and then putting it back in the fridge wouldn't have allowed harmful bacteria to get going to any degree that would affect you.
Stop fretting.

LaughingCat · 30/12/2023 23:23

If you ate it ten hours ago, you’re fine OP. I’ve had food poisoning a couple of times in my life (it’s not fun, I’m not going to lie), but I am so lax with my food, I’m surprised I don’t get it more. Homemade chicken soup cooked nine days ago? Give it a sniff and if it doesn’t smell or look funny, it’s probably alright. I don’t refrigerate leftover takeout…it goes in the microwave to cool and I eat it the next day for lunch.

Both times I had food poisoning, it was after I’d eaten out (a wedding and a dinner), so I had no control over the food or its prep.

We’re WAY tougher than we think, and a bit of left out paté isn’t going to hurt.

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 30/12/2023 23:11

littlemissgrumpy1 · 30/12/2023 23:05

@Youcannotbeseriousreally yes. Around 1pm

So on this basis , I’d say you’re fine. Usually food poisoning shows up pretty promptly.

listeria so unlikely from something shop manufactured.

drink loads of water and stay as calm as you can

PriOn1 · 30/12/2023 23:08

If you have listeria, you won’t have any symptoms yet, so if you think that’s making you feel sick, it isn’t.

Original poster
littlemissgrumpy1 · 30/12/2023 23:05

@Youcannotbeseriousreally yes. Around 1pm

OP posts:
TheWalkingDeadly · 30/12/2023 23:04

My 3 yo once licked the sauce you take out of the raw chicken like a hunters chicken bbq. It was on the side to add later or defrost. It looked like a lolly i guess.

The same kid - i got the shopping out of the car and child the bathroom bleach cleaner spray was amongst. I popped to the loo and came back to her licking that.

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 30/12/2023 22:54

Did you eat it at lunchtime?? I’m sure you’ll be ok OP but totally understand your anxiety

Nitsnitsnits · 30/12/2023 22:51

You’ll be fine, OP, but if it helps, you could get a couple of Yakults or something similar with probiotics down you. I think I remember reading that if you have plenty of good bacteria they can crowd out the bad ones, and it might help you to feel like you’d done something positive to help. My DH once fed our kids raw turkey bacon (he didn’t realise it needed to be cooked 🙄) and they were all absolutely fine, your stomach acid will deal with a lot of nasties.

marleymoo12 · 30/12/2023 21:51

Try not to panic you both will be fine I know what you mean with health anxiety making you feel sick try and relax

Katemax82 · 30/12/2023 21:30

I once at a cream cake that had been out the fridge all night (yes, I was a nob) I puked my guts up. This was in summer a few years ago. If you do throw up you will be ok afterwards so try not to panic

Tonkerbea · 30/12/2023 21:03

There's loads of salt in pâté, I reckon you'll be fine

Newchapterbeckons · 30/12/2023 21:00

You are going to be fine op

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 30/12/2023 20:46

littlemissgrumpy1 · 30/12/2023 20:41

@Singsonggsu I’d normally completely agree but apparently it’s listeria that’s the issue which has no smell or taste!

Listeria is mainly an issue with raw or unpasteurised products, and if it's there it's there whether refrigerated or not. Pate will have been thoroughly cooked in production so unlikely to be contaminated with listeria.

ManateeFair · 30/12/2023 20:44

You and your child will almost certainly be fine. Most people (including you and your son, I guarantee) are exposed to potential food poisoning risks all the time without even knowing it and, crucially, without actually getting food poisoning. You’re feeling sick because you’re anxious.

(For example, I once ate some chicken risotto that had been out and unrefrigerated for two full days (long story) and was absolutely fine. I also accidentally ate a raw chicken goujon (my mate thought they were pre-cooked; they were not) and escaped unscathed.)

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 30/12/2023 20:43

Assuming it was commercially produced, it will contain preservatives to stop it going off. If it had gone off, it would have tasted and smelt strongly unpleasant - you wouldn't have wanted to eat it.

Original poster
littlemissgrumpy1 · 30/12/2023 20:41

@Singsonggsu I’d normally completely agree but apparently it’s listeria that’s the issue which has no smell or taste!

OP posts:
chocolateaupain · 30/12/2023 20:41

countdowntonap · 30/12/2023 20:39

What a knob.

Harsh.

Original poster
littlemissgrumpy1 · 30/12/2023 20:40

@countdowntonap wrong thread? Or are you having a bad day too?!

OP posts:
countdowntonap · 30/12/2023 20:39

What a knob.

Original poster
littlemissgrumpy1 · 30/12/2023 20:39

Thank you. Like I said, I know that none of you can actually guarantee anything but it’s like I completely shut down from any sensible thinking when it’s something like this. Health anxiety is a real challenge for me.
I appreciate you taking the time to reply and for just being kind and trying to reassure.
😳 to the 2 year old eating raw chicken!! That would absolutely destroy me I think!!!

OP posts:
MadeOfAllWork · 30/12/2023 20:36

You will be fine. You are panicking yourself into feeling ill.

Singsonggsu · 30/12/2023 20:36

I think we get so paranoid about food dates and fridges. If it had been ‘off’ I’d imagine it would have tasted awful.

Statsinyoureyes · 30/12/2023 20:34

You're almost certainly going to be fine, honestly xxx