Help! Quick, please! (regarding unrefrigerated cream cheese)

[Sharon in SC]

I probably know the answer to my question but, just in case.....I've accidentally let an unopened 8 oz pkg of cream cheese sit out of the refrigerator 24 hours. Is it still good? ;-{

[Kathleen in VA]

Technically, I don't really know. My leftovers motto is "When in doubt, throw it out." It just doesn't seem worth risking what may follow, kwim?

[Blue Hen]

Hi Sharon,

We take cream cheese on backpacking trips --- no refrigeration there. And we try to use it up during the first 3 days of the outing.

I'd use it unless your kitchen was say in the 99+ range.

Carole

[abbeyej]

I'd use it. I wouldn't even bat an eye.

[Julie in CA]

I wouldn't worry about it--go for it.

[Gretchen in NJ]

If you don't feel comfortable using it raw, remember you can always bake with it. Cream cheese tart top with fresh berries?

[Liz Mc in SC]

You may laugh at this, but I'd use it if I were going to feed it to my family -- but I wouldn't if I were to feed it to someone else ...LOL Guess I'm willing to risk it on the ones I love the most.

At girl scout camp in all the heat, I had several girls bring cream cheese and even yogurt for lunch. I questioned the nurse about the yogurt and she said it was fine. :001_huh: They never got sick.

[newbie]

No, I think the rule is three hours on milk products.

Jet

[Gretchen in NJ]

I made my own cream cheese once. My girls loved it. I placed raw milk in a sealed masson jar. Let it sit on the counter for 2 days until I saw the separation.

I ended up with cream cheese and whey.

[Sharon in SC]

Thanks, all. Since dh and dds were heading home from church not longer after I would have used it anyway, I just had them stop by and pick up fresh. :-) It's interesting - a google search revealed everything from "no way" to 2-3 days is OK.