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How long will a unopened still sealed container of cottage cheese last?

AE. In the US (Iowa to be specific so pretty close to where it is 'made', not sure if that has any effect, but I thought it was worth mentioning). I bought it last night at about 10PM planned on eating some, then if ell asleep on the couch watching a show. I woke up at about 7:15 am and realized my mistake. I really want some of that cottage cheese. I've found I have a strong immune system, but my mom always made me worry when something was out of the fridge for 2 secs which has always left me a bit paranoid. If you are going to quote the food safety recommendations, I encourage you not to (2:30 I believe it said). I think we all know that those standards are a bit insane and are made to group a 100 year old and a 20 year old in the same category. So 25 yo here, probably going to eat it no matter what unless smell/taste is funky. Just wanted to hear some input before I'm possibly throwing up for a couple of days. A little more info: my apartment is set at 70 degrees F, the item was on a tv tray about a foot away from a sliding glass door that isn't that great at keeping out wind but okay, and last night was probably around 40 maybe give derees.

Update:

Forgot. There was also some French onion dip in the bag too. Not sure if it's the same boat, but I think that French onion sour cream might be a little harder to detect with my senses.

Update 2:

I appreciate the answer smartAZ, but it doesn't really answer my question. I know not to eat things that are grey and furry unless I am into eating raw rats. Bacteria can grow at room temp, and that's my concern. I didn't ask if I could leave it in they fridge past the expiration date, I asked if if I'm going to get the squirts because I left it out for roughly nine hours. Nonetheless you'll get your points if I don't get anymore or a better answers.

Update 3:

Edit of ^^^: bacteria can grow pretty rapidly at room temp is what I meant, but when I reread it sounded wrong. It still grows in the fridge just a lot slower.

Update 4:

Decided to eat it. All other answers (if there are any) are irrelevant. Here you are SmartAZ. Even though I am annoyed by how irrelevant your answer to my question was, your answer was about cottage cheese. Wish me luck tomorrow.

1 Answer

Relevance
  • Anonymous
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Food is good until it gets gray and fuzzy. That only happens if the dairy was not sterile. US dairies are pretty food about that. I have kept cottage cheese unopened in the refrigerator for months.

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