Is It Safe to Drink Milk Left Out for 3 Hours?

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Leaving 1% milk out for nearly three hours raised concerns about its safety for consumption. The general consensus is that if the milk still feels chilled, it might be okay to drink, but caution is advised. Many participants suggest using sensory checks—smelling and tasting the milk—to determine if it has soured. The "Danger Zone" for food safety, defined as temperatures between 41-140°F, is critical, with four hours being a common cutoff for spoilage. Some shared personal anecdotes about consuming milk that had been left out longer, emphasizing that pasteurized milk typically has a lower risk of harmful bacteria. However, if there is any doubt about the milk's freshness or if it is close to its expiration date, it is safer to discard it. The discussion also included humorous exchanges and tangents, reflecting a light-hearted approach to the topic. Ultimately, the recommendation leans towards caution, suggesting that if in doubt, it's better to toss the milk than risk foodborne illness.
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I left 1/2 gallon of 1% milk out for nearly three hours. Still felt chilled. Think I should drink it? I really don't want to go out to the store tonight!
 
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try it a bit, if it taste sour and has a weird smell then it's better to just throw it away
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
I left 1/2 gallon of 1% milk out for nearly three hours. Still felt chilled. Think I should drink it? I really don't want to go out to the store tonight!
4 cumulative hours spent at a temperature in the "Danger Zone", 41-140*F, is the cutoff for restaurants in Florida (and all of the US, I think). Any longer than that, it's garbage; less, they can serve it to you; not sure about 4 hours exactly (I'd toss it, personally). Keep in mind that you don't know what temperatures it was at for how long before you bought it (or if your fridge stopped working for a few hours without you noticing), so use your senses.

BTW, to be clear, that's the temperature of the food, not its environment.
 
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hmmm...only one thought comes to mind...

WWTDD?





(what would tribdog do?)
 
Disclaimer: Don't sue me if I'm wrong!

If it still felt chilled, and you're going to drink it tonight, it's probably okay, at least if it started out fairly fresh (if it's already close to the expiration date, I'd just dump it, because it might have already been starting some bacterial growth). A half gallon is a large enough volume, it probably wouldn't cool too quickly (maybe you should give the carton dimensions, refrigerator temperature and room temperature to the physics/math folks around here and let them calculate the time it reached that "danger zone" HRW mentioned and how long it was at that temperature...the milk in the middle is probably just fine :biggrin:).

I wouldn't save it though, it'll probably spoil pretty quickly after sitting out that long once any bacteria got a chance to start growing.

Kids walk around with sippy cups filled with milk about that long, and probably a lot warmer in their grubby little hands.

Oh...and if you experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea tomorrow, it probably was sitting out too long. :-p
 
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Oh, did you know that 1% has only 20 fewer (kilo)calories per cup than 2%? That really disappointed me. Maybe I'm strange. I wonder if I could have figured that out -- don't the percentages refer to fat content or something?
 
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Oh, if you're going to drink it, put it in the freezer for a while to bring the temp down ASAP.
 
It's fine to drink.
 
I left milk out all night and still drank it after it was cool again.
 
  • #10
I think it should be ok. At most coffee houses they don't even pay that much attention to keeping the milk they are using refrigerated (the particular jug in use). When I worked at one putting the milk back in the fridge was always one of the first things I did when I started my shift. Ofcourse we steamed the milk before giving it to customers so that may have killed anything in it.
 
  • #11
TheStatutoryApe said:
I think it should be ok. At most coffee houses they don't even pay that much attention to keeping the milk they are using refrigerated (the particular jug in use). When I worked at one putting the milk back in the fridge was always one of the first things I did when I started my shift.
And thank you.
Ofcourse we steamed the milk before giving it to customers so that may have killed anything in it.
But if the bacteria produced toxins...
I'm not sure about what is in or grows in milk, but that's how you can still get sick from food that was properly handled and cooked. The only examples I know of don't involve bacteria; they involve seafood, especially big fish, in which the toxins become concentrated as the big fish eats lots of smaller fish that ate lots of smaller fish that ate lots of the little protozoans that produce the toxins.
 
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  • #12
It's definitely fine. I don't think you can get very sick even if big milk chunks are floating around.

However, if in doubt. I have a theory that you can eat just about any amount of bacteria ridden food when really hammered and have no ill effects. In college, after a long evening at the bar, I was rooting through my buddies fridge in their house. This was in december and I found some cold cut roast beef in the fridge with best before date of december. However it turned out to be december the year before! It had a major slime coating, but I must have ate about a quarter pound before I realized what was up in my drunken state!
 
  • #13
Oh, who was it here that was drunk, ate some donuts they found in a fridge in someone's garage and then woke up in the morning with their hands and mouth covered with green powder? That and the pickled squirrel head still gives me nightmares.
 
  • #14
Forget the milk, this thread is making me sick.
 
  • #15
Milk is fine. As far as I know, there are no harmful bacteria in pasteurized milk, even if it sits out overnight.
 
  • #16
This thread is past its expiration date.

 
  • #17
Evo said:
Oh, who was it here that was drunk, ate some donuts they found in a fridge in someone's garage and then woke up in the morning with their hands and mouth covered with green powder? That and the pickled squirrel head still gives me nightmares.
You can thank Chronos for both of those.
 
  • #18
To break the suspense, I ended up tossing it and buying a new cartoon :smile:
 
  • #19
Greg Bernhardt said:
To break the suspense, I ended up tossing it and buying a new cartoon :smile:
Cartoons are fun and all, but maybe you should have picked up some milk while you were out too. :biggrin:
 
  • #20
Moonbear said:
Cartoons are fun and all, but maybe you should have picked up some milk while you were out too. :biggrin:

you miss are now on probation! :devil:
 
  • #21
Greg Bernhardt said:
you miss are now on probation! :devil:
Evo, crank up the presses! I think I might need a LOT of GOOBF cards really soon! :bugeye: :eek: :smile:
 
  • #22
Greg Bernhardt said:
"Get out of bed free" cards? moonbear I thought we agreed to keep this strickly professional :biggrin:

Sorry dear, I must be ovulating. :biggrin:

(And...what tricks are you up to now? My first attempt to quote you got a message that said "this forum not accepting new posts." :eek:)

Edit: Ha ha...I got the quote before you got it deleted! :-p
 
  • #23
Moonbear said:
(And...what tricks are you up to now? My first attempt to quote you got a message that said "this forum not accepting new posts." :eek:)

Edit: Ha ha...I got the quote before you got it deleted! :-p

Maybe you're now in the "fun" usergroup, oops... :wink: :biggrin:

edit: stop editing! lol
 
  • #24
I hate to interrupt you two, but are there any Get Into Bed Free cards, and if so, where can my friend get some?

A dozen should be enough for now.
 
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  • #25
honestrosewater said:
I hate to interrupt you two, but are there any Get Into Bed Free cards, and if so, where can my friend get some?
Your friend, huh? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I only asked for private lessons on double-clicking. :smile:
 
  • #26
Moonbear said:
Your friend, huh? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
she meant me. :biggrin:
 
  • #27
Math Is Hard said:
she meant me. :biggrin:
Ah. And which friend are you going to ask for them for? We know Greg has milk, anyone else have the kahlua?
 
  • #28
[edit:I like to bang sticks on my upper left forehead.]
 
  • #29
Math Is Hard said:
she meant me. :biggrin:
And you want two dozen instead? MIH, you minx.
 
  • #30
Moonbear said:
Ah. And which friend are you going to ask for them for? We know Greg has milk, anyone else have the kahlua?
uhhh hello, white russians are like my fav drink, of course I have kahlua! but you're still on probation, you can have this flat coke. :devil:
 
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  • #31
Greg Bernhardt said:
uhhh hello, white russians are like my fav drink, of course I have kahlua! but you're still on probation, you can have this flat coke. :devil:
:frown: I sowwy. Can I at least have a flat Pepsi?
 
  • #32
Greg Bernhardt said:
uhhh hello, white russians are like my fav drink, of course I have kahlua! but you're still on probation, you can have this flat coke. :devil:
Psst... you forgot to tell her to go to your room.:wink:
 
  • #33
TheStatutoryApe said:
Psst... you forgot to tell her to go to your room.:wink:

*perk* What's that? Could you say it a little louder? I couldn't quite hear you. :-p
 
  • #34
TheStatutoryApe said:
Psst... you forgot to tell her to go to your room.:wink:
That actually works sometimes too. Seriously.
 
  • #35
oh the things that can come from talking about spoiling milk. I haven't had this much fun since aol chatrooms in 95 :biggrin:
 
  • #36
honestrosewater said:
That actually works sometimes too. Seriously.
But only if you're very very bad. :devil:
 
  • #37
Greg Bernhardt said:
oh the things that can come from talking about spoiling milk. I haven't had this much fun since aol chatrooms in 95 :biggrin:
Well, it is GD! You never know what might happen in here.

Just look at this...it's Greg and all the PF women in here.
 
  • #38
Moonbear said:
Well, it is GD! You never know what might happen in here.

Just look at this...it's Greg and all the PF women in here.

Apparently I need start hanging out in GD more often... and start up the PF Dating service, I could make a fortune :)
 
  • #39
Greg Bernhardt said:
Apparently I need start hanging out in GD more often... and start up the PF Dating service, I could make a fortune :)
Hey, I keep asking for a PF Dating Service. I tried that thread once, but forgot to make the poll public so people who know who was actually available. :redface: :smile:
 
  • #40
honestrosewater said:
And you want two dozen instead? MIH, you minx.
well, you know me. I always want more. Give me a cubic meter, and I'll ask for a dekaliter.

*waits for Pengwuino's wrath*:biggrin:
 
  • #41
Math Is Hard said:
well, you know me. I always want more. Give me a cubic meter, and I'll ask for a dekaliter.
Well now you're just showing off with that fancy degree you got there. :biggrin:
 
  • #42
Moonbear said:
Well now you're just showing off with that fancy degree you got there. :biggrin:
Hmmph! I've read numerous articles that guffaw at the little kitty who received his credentials online from a dubious institution. Yet, none of them mention the fact that he now commands a six-figure salary as a consultant with Ernst and Young (possessing a key to the Executive Litterbox, to boot). :smile:
 
  • #43
Greg Bernhardt said:
Apparently I need start hanging out in GD more often... and start up the PF Dating service, I could make a fortune :)
That's right. I don't come cheaply.

(Heh. I don't mean anything indecent by that. o:) And if you think I did, it wasn't my words but your interpretation. :devil:)
 
  • #44
Moonbear said:
Hey, I keep asking for a PF Dating Service. I tried that thread once, but forgot to make the poll public so people who know who was actually available. :redface: :smile:
I think that's actually a good idea. Someone was just asking how you let people know that you're "looking".
 
  • #45
honestrosewater said:
I think that's actually a good idea. Someone was just asking how you let people know that you're "looking".
Yeah, Hurkyl and me. I'm sure it'll be a great service, 10,000 men and 6 women signed up...yep, the odds sound about right to me. :approve:
 
  • #46
Moonbear said:
Yeah, Hurkyl and me. I'm sure it'll be a great service, 10,000 men and 6 women signed up...yep, the odds sound about right to me. :approve:

As long as I can code the system to my advantage it's all good. One minute it's 10,000 to 6 and the next 1 to 6 :biggrin:
 
  • #47
Moonbear said:
Yeah, Hurkyl and me. I'm sure it'll be a great service, 10,000 men and 6 women signed up...yep, the odds sound about right to me. :approve:
With those odds you'll have plenty of men jumping ship.
 
  • #48
Greg Bernhardt said:
As long as I can code the system to my advantage it's all good. One minute it's 10,000 to 6 and the next 1 to 6 :biggrin:
:smile:

TheStatutoryApe said:
With those odds you'll have plenty of men jumping ship.
Well, perseverance is one of the screening traits. :approve:
 
  • #49
Moonbear said:
Well, perseverance is one of the screening traits. :approve:
It has nothing to do with perseverance. You hang out around 10,000 guys all trying to hook up with one of only six girls and tell me how long you lasted. I think you'd pick someone just to get the hell outta there.:wink:
 
  • #50
TheStatutoryApe said:
It has nothing to do with perseverance. You hang out around 10,000 guys all trying to hook up with one of only six girls and tell me how long you lasted. I think you'd pick someone just to get the hell outta there.:wink:
:smile: Maybe I'd just stand back and watch the melee, and do it the old survival of the fittest way. :biggrin:
 

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