Food box left overnight

April 21, 2021 3:05 PM

Due to a communications error, a box of gourmet meats was left on the stoop overnight. It was in a cardboard box, with a solid Styrofoam insert inside which had ice packs and the meats. The ice packs were largely melted with some solid bits, and the packages were cold to the touch. I'm not too worried about the cheese, prosciutto, and bresaola, but there was duck pate and smoked salmon. I am inclined to just eat it all, but I thought I'd give you lot a chance to opine.
posted by GenjiandProust to Food & Drink (13 answers total)

Still cold, with some ice bits remaining? Eat.
posted by aramaic at 3:06 PM on April 21, 2021 [22 favorites]

Eat it all just not all at once.
posted by AugustWest at 3:08 PM on April 21, 2021 [15 favorites]

I concur with aramaic. buon appetito!
posted by euphoria066 at 3:09 PM on April 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

100% agree. Well insulated container, some ice still present: You're fine.
posted by mark k at 3:12 PM on April 21, 2021 [2 favorites]

If the packages were cold, I wouldn't even give it a second thought. Happy noms!
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 3:12 PM on April 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

I’ve left a HelloFresh box out overnight and eaten it. Probably ok
posted by kevinbelt at 3:16 PM on April 21, 2021 [2 favorites]

Well-insulated container (meaning that the contents would be in good thermal equilibrium) + some solid ice still remaining = contents have been at 0 degrees C throughout. Count it as having been in the fridge rather than the freezer. You're good.
posted by heatherlogan at 3:19 PM on April 21, 2021 [12 favorites]

no way but I will bravely "test" it for you

ok fine just eat it it sounds amazing
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:53 PM on April 21, 2021 [5 favorites]

Normally I'm on team don't eat but that sounds fine to me! Enjoy :)
posted by bighappyhairydog at 5:13 PM on April 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

Pate and smoking are both forms of pre-refrigeration preservation. Please enjoy it. I humbly suggest that you have the pate with blueberries.
posted by Mizu at 5:18 PM on April 21, 2021 [8 favorites]

If all the foods were still cold, or even just cool, I'd say eat and enjoy---what a feast!
posted by ragtimepiano at 6:37 PM on April 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

One more vote for eat. I regularly drive 6-7 hours with the contents of my fridge in a basket (not even a cooler). It's always fine to eat everything. Your treats have been stored far safer.
posted by mumimor at 11:12 PM on April 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

What heatherlogan said. If there's any solid ice remaining, then all the meltwater is as near to 0°C as makes no difference. Phase-change cooling is good stuff.
posted by flabdablet at 12:03 AM on April 22, 2021 [2 favorites]