[onlyzombiecat]

I have a raw pork loin left at room temperature (probably 70F) for about 4 hours. It was not frozen.

Is it safe to use or should I toss it?

 

[Ruthla]

It should be fine, assuming it was fresh and not "about to turn" before it was left out. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly, and if it smells "off" even after cooking, dump it.

 

[MacroMama]

I would probably toss it. They say you shouldn't consume cooked food that's been out for more than 2 hours, so raw at 4 hours sounds overdone to me.

Sorry!

 

[Arduinna]

oh yeah, I'd eat it no problem.

 

[beka1977]

I would cook it.

 

[thixle]

70 degrees? Yep, I'd cook it very well done and eat it.
My 90 degree kitchen? No way.

 

[uumomma]

i am a
"when in doubt throw it out" kinda girl..

 

[boysrus]

I just asked my dh who has been in the restaurant biz a long time, and he said 4 hours is borderline, and you should throw it out, but if you cook it to death and make sure it is at least 160 inside, you SHOULD be okay

 

[mamadelbosque]

I don know, I'd probably cook it and eat it. Just make sure I cooked it really well... when I pull stuff out of the freezer I usually let it sit out to thaw and occasionally forget about it till dinner time when its been out non-frozen for a few hours... and its always been fine...

 

[onlyzombiecat]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[UUMom]

It's absolutely fine. Lots of recipes, especially grilled ones, even recommend leaving some meats out to room temp before cooking.

 

[onlyzombiecat]

We decided not to risk it.
All sources I saw were pretty much in agreement that 4 hours at room temperature is not particularly safe.

The plan was to cook it in the slow cooker. The slow cooker did not get plugged in.

 

[boysrus]

I think that was a smart choice. Better safe than sorry.