leaving frozen dinner out?

foodie178
foodie178 Posts: 47 Member
in Food and Nutrition
is it safe to eat a frozen meal like leancuisine if it's been thawing out all morning? it would be convenient if i could take one to school, leave it in my car for 5 hours during classes, then cook it and eat it for lunch, but would thawing it out for that long affect it?

Replies

  • theglencoegirl
    theglencoegirl Posts: 69 Member
    just micro for a shorter time!! used to do it all the time --i'm still kicking!!
  • alaskaang
    alaskaang Posts: 493 Member
    Per health department code, you can use four hours at whatever temperature as time control for food safety. You'd be better to leave it in a cooler to be on the safe side, but it should be fine. Not to mention the sodium content in those things acts as a preservative as well.
  • Guamybear
    Guamybear Posts: 1,061 Member
    I have done it..and now with weather cooler shouldn't be a problem unless you live in Hawaii or a warm climate like that.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    not suggested

    doesnt it say right on the box...keep frozen?

    not that I would eat one anyway, but it doesnt sound right...I would check their website
  • realme56
    realme56 Posts: 1,093 Member
    I do it all the time, not in the car but in my lunch bag. If it is hot where you are I would be careful leaving it in the car for 5 hours.
  • justbecause2014
    justbecause2014 Posts: 371 Member
    You could get a lunch box and pop a couple ice packs in it. It'll keep the lunch not totally frozen but not just sitting out either
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    I'm going to go with Dave there. Check their website but I'd say no.
  • houseofcorbin
    houseofcorbin Posts: 15
    You'll be fine. The box just has to be very cautious because the company does not want to get sued. Little things like keeping it out of direct sunlight, or getting the ice pack with a cooler would help but not necessary.
  • Brendajo510
    Brendajo510 Posts: 153
    I would keep it in a cooler and I think it would be okay. I wouldn't refreeze it and eat it later if you decide not to eat it, but I've lived from eating frozen dinners from a cooler. Less cook time.
  • NaomiJFoster
    NaomiJFoster Posts: 1,450 Member
    It's fine. If you're taking it for lunch, it isn't going to comletely thaw anyway. I find that instead of needing to be nuked for 5 minutes, it will only need 2 or 3. Plus, it will help keep all the other things in your lunch nice and cold. I have no problem at all with packing a frozen meal, a yogurt, and a piece of fruit in my bag in the morning, and leaving it in the closet at work. I don't know that I'd leave it in the car...but then it's still 80 degrees here, lol.

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