Is it safe to eat London broil and pork chops that were frozen out all night on the counter?

When food is left out at room temperature for too long, it can become contaminated with bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. This is especially true for raw meat, such as London broil and pork chops.

The danger zone for food safety is between 40°F and 140°F. This is the temperature range in which bacteria grow most rapidly. When food is left out in the danger zone for more than two hours, it can become unsafe to eat.

In this case, the London broil and pork chops were left out on the counter all night, which is long enough for bacteria to grow and multiply to dangerous levels. Eating these meats could put you at risk for foodborne illness.

Symptoms of foodborne illness can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. In some cases, foodborne illness can be life-threatening.

To avoid foodborne illness, it is important to follow safe food handling practices. This includes refrigerating or freezing perishable food items promptly, thawing frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave, and cooking food to the proper internal temperature.