Left a sandwich in my car overnight. Still ok to eat?

[OddBeMe]

Should I refrigerate first?

Yes

Nah

Updates

+1 y

So I’m getting mixed signals…I mean most say no. So the mix is from my brain. So I might try 5 senses…sniff, listen, watch, feel, and finally taste.

Updates

+1 y

I’ve been watching it. Not looking good. I think I’ll just buy another.

[zeitgeist057]

It's risky. As many other answers have said, ingredients matter. If it was a PBJ, no issues. Chicken salad, egg salad, tuna, those are higher risk. Estimate how cold it was overnight, and how much time did the sandwich sit at temperatures over 40F? Bacterial growth happens more at higher temps, and is slowed by cooler temps, so overnight could be fine if you live somewhere cold.

I just had a similar conundrum with some raw chicken I accidentally left on my counter overnight (in a container), about 8 hours around 60F-70F. I decided to take the risk, cooked it thoroughly, and ate it. I didn't have any issues.

Refrigerating after the fact won't do much, only cooking it would kill bacteria. Cold only slows down growth or moves it into stasis.

[OddBeMe]

https://youtu.be/snaX1upQZaA

[Iron_Man]

Was there mayonnaise in it

[Iron_Man]

It also depends how cold your weather was

[OddBeMe]

It’s Texas. So 5 minutes on 5 minutes off.

And yeah mayo… :(

[Iron_Man]

That means it’s still cold, but don’t risk it throw it out. It’s just a little cheap sandwich. It’s hot in Miami. You’re lucky you have cold weather.

[OddBeMe]

But but…I need it! (Homer crying)

[Iron_Man]

Make another one

[Iron_Man]

Thanks for most helpful award

[Veles]

Eat it if you're eager for vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and fever.

[rosemilk]

depends on what's on the sandwich but likely i wouldn't eat it.

[goaded]

What does it look like? Refrigerating now would be pointless, it wouldn't undo bacterial growth.

A plain hard cheese sandwich, smoked ham or salami, I might risk; they're supposed to last. Even something with hard boiled eggs. Mayo, soft cheese, and lots of other things, not.

[OddBeMe]

I could freeze the bacteria, say hasta la vista baby and shoot it with my.45. Then it would be good?

[ProbablyClueless]

My mind throws red flags on anything to do with dairy sitting out. So if you have mayo on that sandwich and it was stuck someplace warm,, I wouldn't risk it.

If it was cold and you just have cheese or something salty on there, I wouldn't be too worried.

[Sevenpointfive]

absolutely not! but in your case i'd encourage it lol

[OddBeMe]

Yeah I’m getting a strong “no”. But I might test….

[Sevenpointfive]

your fool! eat it!

[JacobJordan]

Depends what it was and temperature inside the car

[OddBeMe]

Lots of dairy and hot.

[JacobJordan]

Definitely not

[NathanDavis]

homemade or fast food?

if it is fast food.. it would outlive you

[Static_In_The_Attic]

Food safety is a wonderful thing & depending on what kind of sandwich it is would make a difference as well. Truthfully you don’t want the Hershey Squirts, throw it away.

[strateguy632]

put frij won't help too late. but can sniff it. like boden sniffs lol.

[NewgodOmega]

Absolutely inside a car so no bugs not animals tasted it, that's good to eat

[Staximus]

Refrigerating it is going to do nothing. You have to sterilize it with heat.

[dustybiker2]

Find someone to test it first.

[msc545]

It depends a lot on what kind of sandwich it is.

[OddBeMe]

Chicken…. :(

[msc545]

Dump it.

[The_Sexpert]

Depends on the ingredient

[Account]

I would eat it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Account]

One day I will die from being careless about such stuff

[OddBeMe]

I’m already planning my death. It involves Vegas, car chases and lots of twinkies.

[Paris13]

If The Car was Not Hot, It Is Okay. xxoo

[exitseven]

if it was cold out it should be okay.

[Anonymous]

Only if the weather was very cold.

[handsomelad70]

I wouldn't unless I was nearly starving.

[Kingofkings1992]

Gross