If your fridge door had been left open overnight, would you throw away all meat?

[Pinkchampagne]

Noticed this morning that my fridge door was slightly open. The seal isn't great & this has happened before, but not for that length of time.
I had just been shopping, so my fridge was pretty full. I had some sealed chicken fillets, pork chops & some fish in there. should I throw it all out? the packs still felt cold to touch this morning. Don't want food poisoning though!

I'd probably cook it straight away if it seems ok. Personally I wouldn't throw it out but I might be wrong.

I was thinking of cooking the chicken tonight & freezing the fish & pork, but wanted to check what others thought.

nooooo....not if they are still cold.

freezer would be different...I would then either cook the meat up or throw, especially if it had been thawed out, but fridge wouldn't worry me. especially if it was only by a teensy bit.

you would soon know tho if it has gone off early when you come to use it, either by smell or look.

Ok thanks, I will cook the chicken & freeze the other meat & fish. Just wanted to be sure it would be ok as I am a bit neurotic about food poisoning!

No it'll still have been cool in there. Before fridges, meat would have been kept that way in a cool pantry no doubt.

Message withdrawn

I wouldn't throw it out, the fridge was probably working overtime overnight to try and retain the temperature. I think it'll be fine.

To TsarChasm:
before fridges was also before central heating!

I wouldn't the fridge would have been working seriously hard to try and keep the temp down
they will be fine
they are also sealed which helps

This thread is 2 years old I hope op survived

mummichelle, silly girl

I've just done the same thing! The chicken smells fine, so I think we'll eat it later. Ham also tasted fine. There's so much salt in it, I'm sure it will be preserved.

I know this is an old thread.

Nope for 2 reasons:

1. It would never happen as I live alone
2. There would be no meat in the fridge

However, I would check the internal temperature display as well. If that were showing 8deg C or less I would shut the door and leave for an hour, then check again.