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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
toomuchfaff · 30/12/2023 20:25

Nothing you can do, just wait. Pate probably won't kill you if you're fit and healthy.

letstrythatagain · 30/12/2023 20:27

Get the panic 😔. I'm exactly the same with things like this. I guess it is a waiting game but try to distract yourself as you'll convince yourself that you are ill. So difficult I know!

KittytheHare · 30/12/2023 20:29

I guarantee you’ll be fine

Original poster
littlemissgrumpy1 · 30/12/2023 20:29

I’m aware i sound ridiculous but I’m sat here feeling absolutely dreadful. It’s now all i can think about. There’s no way I can relax and stop thinking about it. Thank you for understanding

OP posts:
Calabou · 30/12/2023 20:31

It's a waiting game, but don't panic. I opened a pack of raw chicken, left it on the worktop out of reach of little ones, went out to check something with DP and came back to my 2 year old, having climbed up, munching on a chunk of raw chicken. He was absolutely fine, to my surprise!

PriOn1 · 30/12/2023 20:34

I have a friend who had done all kinds of cookery/catering hygiene courses and was always very careful.

She went to stay with her sister in a hot country. Sister baked lasagne, then left it out in the warm kitchen (with flies) for three days. She then ate it, which horrified my friend, but apparently she was absolutely fine.

Nothing is guaranteed. I know you can’t rely on smell, but it’s not impossible you’ll get away without becoming sick.

CarrotCake01 · 30/12/2023 20:34

Take a few deep breaths OP, I do the same thing!

Try not to worry, I'm sure you're both fine. Just be on alert for some symptoms of your DS have a funny tummy, that's all you really can do. I'm sure he's put worse in his mouth!

If it has really turned bad, it likely would have been noticeable upon opening! I assume it didn't look or smell gone off?

NalafromtheLionKing · 30/12/2023 20:34

So opened 4 days ago and was only left out once overnight in winter? If so, you should be absolutely fine.

Statsinyoureyes · 30/12/2023 20:34

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

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.

MadeOfAllWork · 30/12/2023 20:36

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

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:
countdowntonap · 30/12/2023 20:39

What a knob.

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

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

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

countdowntonap · 30/12/2023 20:39

What a knob.

Harsh.

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

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

OP posts:
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.

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 20:46

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.

Newchapterbeckons · 30/12/2023 21:00

You are going to be fine op

Tonkerbea · 30/12/2023 21:03

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

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

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

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.

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