Chicken got left out!

We accidently left out a couple (still sealed) packages of chicken in a grocery bag on our kitchen counter this afternoon at about 12:00 and just now noticed them, at about 4:30. My mom picked up the pack and said it still felt cool to the touch, but are they unsafe to eat? Like I said, neither had been opened obviously, but I'm sure bacteria can still grow, can't it?

If it wouldn't be safe anyway, would cooking it help?

I was planning on cooking it for dinner, but now I'm really afraid! I went ahead and trimmed and cut it and put it into a plastic sealed container in the fridge. I guess unless I hear otherwise, I'll just make sure that it's thoroughly cooked and take it from there.

Shouldn't be a problem.

Well I wouldn't think so, but a lot of other websites say otherwise. The thing is, it was not warm when we picked it up, it was still fairly cool even after the time it sat out. I know it wasn't frozen when we left it, but I don't think it should be a huge deal since the package was unopened and all.

I just get all these "what if's" about things like this and worry the heck out of myself. Ugh.

Original Post by zebulancherry:

Well I wouldn't think so, but a lot of other websites say otherwise. The thing is, it was not warm when we picked it up, it was still fairly cool even after the time it sat out. I know it wasn't frozen when we left it, but I don't think it should be a huge deal since the package was unopened and all.

I just get all these "what if's" about things like this and worry the heck out of myself. Ugh.

Obviously.

MHO: If you heat it within an inch of its life you should kill any bacteria that may have grown while it was not refrigerated.  Honestly, if it wasn't warm and there was no moisture you should be fine.  Mold, bacteria, etc like warm and wet.

Ya, think you should be fine... especially if you are cooking it tonight... just cook it all the way through and eat up without worry!

I did the same thing when I wasn't a vegetarian lol.  Who knows how long I left it out... I found it eventually, was still cold, cooked it, ate it, still living, no sickness.  You should be fine.  If not, let us know so we don't do the same thing!

Well, I ate it! Nuff' said. Hahah.

I would feel horrible wasting it. I'm not worried anymore - it was still cool, it smelled perfectly normal, and, best of all, it tasted really good. :)

It should be fine, as it would take much longer than that to actually spoil, unless you live somewhere quite warm without air-conditioning.  There may be more bacteria than there normally would be if it were kept in the fridge, but cooking it will kill them.

If you want to stay on the safe side, you can soak the chicken in 1/4 C of salt and some cold water for 15 minutes, then pat it dry before cooking/freezing/refrigerating.  This will not only kill any bacterial proliferations, but it will also tenderize the chicken.