How Temperatures Affect Food - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason
City News, Weather and Sports  How Temperatures Affect Food
"Last night I left cooked roast beef on the counter to cool
before refrigerating, but fell asleep and discovered it this
morning. I immediately put it in the refrigerator. Since the
meat is cooked, shouldn't it be safe to eat?"  The
U.S.Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Hotline
receives similar calls every day from consumers who are confused
about how to keep their food safe. The answer to this caller's
question is that the roast beef should be thrown out . Why?
Because leaving food out too long at room temperature can cause
bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteriditis,
Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Campylobacter) to grow to
dangerous levels that can cause illness.  Bacteria exist
everywhere in nature. They are in the soil, air, water and the
foods we eat. When they have nutrients (food), moisture, time
and favorable temperatures, they grow rapidly increasing