Is it gone bad

littlelily613

I bought a package of individually-packaged hummus and accidentally left it on the counter for several days not thinking. They are completely sealed and unopened. Still good or is it a throw away?

Briko3

The ones I get that are individually packaged are never refrigerated on the shelf, so I'm assuming in that case, it would be safe.

littlelily613

Good point! They do sell individual CANNED hummus here--and those are on the pantry shelf. These aren't canned, but in the little plastic containers. I am hoping they are still good because they cost me 6$ and it was a silly mistake. They were cold when I bought them...

AleciaG724

Toss it! At room temperature bacteria numbers double every 20 minutes and things get really ugly after 4 hours. Once refrigerated it needs to stay refrigerated. Things that are stable at room temp have been processed or vacuum -packed. Trust me, it's not safe to eat and I've had food poisoning twice, it's horrible.

stacyhaddenham

If you bought if from the refrigerated or frozen sections toss it. If it was on the shelf when you bought it then it is shelf stable and should be fine.

littlelily613

That was not what I was hoping to hear. But better to be safe than sorry--I will have to try to be more careful next time. Thanks!

sunsetzen

It can only go bad if it was opened or improperly packaged. What in the hummus will go bad? There's olive oil, tahini, spices (maybe) and pureed chickpeas. I'd eat it still (after a smell test just to be sure)