Question about leaving a food out...

[Stuart G]

I just bought a quart of Vanilla Yogurt from the food store...Unfortunately, I forgot to put it in the refrigerator immediately after I got home.. So it was out in normal temperature for about an hour and a half..It is supposed to be kept cold always..Question...:

If it was out that long, sitting on the counter at normal temp, should I throw it out? Don't know?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. It's probably OK, esp. if the room wasn't hot.

I'd keep it.

[elleng]

2. No need, imo.

'Keep cold always' sounds like an overstatement by someone. Yogurt is, after all, 'produced through the fermentation of milk by lactic acid bacteria, usually lactobacillus bulgarius and Streptococcus thermophilus.'

http://www.milk.co.uk/page.aspx?intPageID=81

[uppityperson]

3. Yogurt sitting out that long should be fine. It might be a bit tangier if you left it out overnight

But a new, sealed container sound be ok.

Yogurt is made by introducing specific bacteria into milk then keeping it warn while it ferments

[Stuart G]

4. Thank YOU ,,,,THANK YOU...!!!!!!!

Thanks for the information and advise...I was ready to throw it, but now I will enjoy it...
Thanks again....Stuart

[GentryDixon]

5. If you think it has an off taste, the use it in baking.

I use plain yogurt long past it die date in my blueberry muffins. I can never seem to use a full container before it expires by just eating it with my fruit, so I always have an expired container in my fridge. It makes the muffins very moist. It replaces some of the oil as well as some milk.

[Warpy]

6. An hour and a half at room temperature is nothing, especially if the brand

is one with live cultures. It will list that on the label.

Yogurt is one of those incredibly durable foods. You can eat sealed yogurt a full month after its "sell by" date and still have it be good, although it might get a little more puckery.

The only two tests you need to do are the sniff test and a look around for mold. If it stinks or you see any mold at all, toss it.