Can refrigerated shredded mozzarella cheese go bad if the refrigerator door was left open overnight?
A bag of shredded mozzarella cheese was in my refrigerator. The door to the refrigerator was left partially open overnight. Can I still use this cheese or should I discard it?
Best Answer
Almost certainly the cheese is fine, but it may grow moldy a bit faster than it would have otherwise. Just use it sooner rather than later (within a couple of days if you can). Check it for mold before each use, and throw away the whole bag if it shows any sign of mold or otherwise being "off".
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Is mozzarella cheese still good if left out overnight?
According to Sarah Hill, Manager of Cheese Education and Training for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, cheese can be left at room temperature for up to two hours, as can all perishable foods.How long can shredded mozzarella cheese sit out?
How long can shredded mozzarella cheese be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 \xb0F and 140 \xb0F; shredded mozzarella cheese should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.What happens if you leave shredded cheese out overnight?
No. Unless it somehow got moldy overnight, it's fine.How can you tell if shredded mozzarella is bad?
How can you tell if shredded mozzarella cheese is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the cheese: if cheese develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded; if mold appears, discard all of the shredded mozzarella cheese.How long does mozzarella cheese last in the fridge?
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Answer 2
This study shows that nearly one quarter of all refrigerators operate at an average temperature which exceeds [edited] the optimum average temperature of 5°C or 41°F (the FDA recommends 4°C or 40°F). So even with the door of your frig opened and closed the proper percentage(s) of the time, already there's a risk that the temperature of your cheese was less than optimal for normal preservation.
Bottom line is this though. The USDA says all soft cheeses, including mozzarella (by its definition), should be discarded any time it's spent two or more hours (same link) above 40°F. So bearing in mind what's revealed of refrigerator temps above (first sentence), there's simply no question that you're taking a risk if you think to consume the product you describe.
Answer 3
It could, but the preshredded stuff is usually low moisture to start with. That cuts spoilage rate. Besides, the dairy aisle coolers from which the stuff is sold are often effectively refrigerators with the door left open themselves.
Answer 4
Cheese sits out for years.
I may think that the processed cheese may go bad, but never over night. It is crazy to even think that. You could probably leave it out for a day or two and it still would be good. I have left it out for that long many times and never got sick.
Cheese was left out for years hanging from the ceiling before refrigerators were even thought of, so go ahead and eat it with your crackers or by itself - my thoughts.
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