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Forgot to put shopping away. AIBU to ask does it need to be thrown out?

60 replies

useorbin · 24/08/2024 18:31

We went shopping this afternoon and called into M&S for things for a quick dinner this evening. Totally forgot to put the shopping away so it’s all been inside a bag on the counter. Items taken out of the supermarket fridge at about 3pm and only just realised about the bag, so circa 3.5hrs out the fridge/freezer.

Some frozen oven chips, and DH got himself some chilled breaded chicken type strips. Rest of us are having veggie stuff from the freezer.

It feels like the chips have kept everything feeling quite cool, but are completely defrosted themselves.

From a food hygiene standpoint, are they still ok to eat? We’d be cooking soon. Mainly thinking of DHs chicken but also the chips that were next to it, whether they could be unsafe to eat having shared a bag with chicken getting warmer

Sorry if it’s rambly - rushing about! But WWYD mumsnetters?

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wherearemypastnames · 04/04/2025 16:46

Ah old thread

wherearemypastnames · 04/04/2025 16:46

This afternoon? It’s still this afternoon !
yes the food is ok
i have heard that food standards were originally based on a assumption that you would pop to the shops at lunchtime and carry your stuff home on the bus later with no fridge available during the day

NotsmartOldmum · 04/04/2025 16:39

I bought some breaded chicken strips yesterday that were delivered around 5:21pm however I forgot to put them in the fridge until after 7 pm. Once I noticed I put them in the fridge but I'm worried they will not be safe to eat??? Opinions needed please as have emetophobia so really panicking now. Thanks in advance for any replies

KirstenBlest · 25/08/2024 09:09

@HelenaWaiting , yes, in depth.

FitnessFad · 25/08/2024 01:14

Gosh, how do some people get through the day!

HelenaWaiting · 25/08/2024 00:59

KirstenBlest · 24/08/2024 19:09

@HelenaWaiting , you probably can, but not meat products.

You've researched this, have you?

BeaLola · 24/08/2024 20:09

Cook and eat - not a problem

TheOccupier · 24/08/2024 20:09

It will be fine. And while I have your attention:

  • brush your teeth twice a day
  • lock your front door behind you when you leave your house
  • wipe your arse thoroughly after going to the loo
TeenagersAngst · 24/08/2024 20:05

God knows how the human race survived before fridges and freezers and best before labels

Bjorkdidit · 24/08/2024 20:02

TeenagersAngst · 24/08/2024 19:33

People have lost all common sense when it comes to food hygiene.

I know. I'm genuinely baffled as to how this is even a question.

The chicken has been sitting next to frozen chips so will have stayed cool.

The chips are just potatoes. What could have gone wrong with them in a few hours?

Marchingonagain · 24/08/2024 19:59

I would eat it

Singleandproud · 24/08/2024 19:42

I'd eat it, and wouldn't give it a second thought I wouldn't reheat leftovers tomorrow though.

Namechange1892 · 24/08/2024 19:38

Aquamarine1029 · 24/08/2024 18:48

I genuinely think all of it is perfectly fine and I wouldn't hesitate to eat it.

I agree with this.

TeenagersAngst · 24/08/2024 19:33

People have lost all common sense when it comes to food hygiene.

pigsDOfly · 24/08/2024 19:26

It'll be absolutely fine.

When I was growing up in the 50s the majority of homes didn't have fridges and few people had cars, so mum would go food shopping, carry it home from the shops, or on the bus, then store it in the cool part of the larder, often overnight.

Amazingly, I'm still here to tell the tale.

toenails · 24/08/2024 19:25

A friend of mine in the food industry told me that supermarkets factor this sort of thing in. You'll be fine.

Favouritefruits · 24/08/2024 19:24

As long as you are eating it tonight it’ll be fine! If you look at the instructions it will say ‘best cooked from frozen’ not that it definitely needs to be!

Okwotnext · 24/08/2024 19:19

It will be fine. Cook it and eat it!

Girlwhowavesattrains · 24/08/2024 19:14

donkies · 24/08/2024 18:46

I wouldn't eat the chicken after it had been out of the fridge more than a couple of hours.

It’s been kept cool by the defrosting chips though. If it had been in a hot car for a couple of hours, no.

olympicsrock · 24/08/2024 19:13

No issue at all. Cook and eat.

rainbowunicorn · 24/08/2024 19:13

Georgyporky · 24/08/2024 19:03

DH didn't put HIS food away?

You are making yourself look daft.

Bournetilly · 24/08/2024 19:12

I would eat them all, it will be fine.

Girlwhowavesattrains · 24/08/2024 19:12

I wouldn’t worry - as long as it’s all thoroughly cooked it will be fine.

rainbowunicorn · 24/08/2024 19:10

useorbin · 24/08/2024 18:39

Would the chips be ok? Obviously they were in a separate bag but sitting on top of the chicken. I’m not worried for me more my DC. But appreciate it’s probably OTT to even have this thought in my head.

Chips are potatoes. Potatoes don't just go off like that. If you had prepped potatoes to make chips or wedges or mash from scratch and left them out for 3 hours would you be worried? What do you think will have happened in 3 hours to some potatoes with probably oil and seasoning?

KirstenBlest · 24/08/2024 19:09

@HelenaWaiting , you probably can, but not meat products.

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