# 'Is this food safe to eat' threads **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 12, 2010, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489 "2010-09-12T10:53:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/21 "2010-09-12T20:14:56Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > Gargle peroxide. You’ll be fine. I left my peroxide out in the sun overnight. Is it still safe? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/22 "2010-09-12T20:49:49Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > I picked a cherry tomato on my terrace this morning, and it took me 12 seconds to carry it into the kitchen and rinse it off in lukewarm tap water–is it safe for me put it in a salad, or do I have to had eaten it as soon as it came off the vine? Need answer fast. You should put a table and chair in your garden and eat it there. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/23 "2010-09-12T21:07:22Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > Here, just to settle the issue, I have cites! > > **Colibri** unstickied [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=551788) because the OP no longer accurately describes board policy regarding medical/legal advice. > > [Here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12806832&postcount=42) **Ed Zotti** clarifies the policy: > > > [@Ed](#): > > > > 1. It’s not against our rules to request or offer advice on medical, legal or similar topics. Users are cautioned against placing too much trust in advice they receive. If you have a serious problem, consult a professional. We may restate this caution in advice threads. > > And in this very thread we got a ruling from **twickster** : > > > [@twickster](#): > > > > Factual questions go in GQ. Questions seeking advice go in IMHO. > > > > ETA: That prohibition is no longer absolute. The new policy is as above. I had no idea this had changed - the FAQ in GQ still forbids specific medical advice requests. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/24 "2010-09-12T21:40:11Z")
Yes, because they don’t belong in GQ, they belong in IMHO – to maintain the distinction between reliable information and some anonymous person’s opinion, which may or may not be valid. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/25 "2010-09-12T21:48:32Z")
OK… so…back on track then (since it was indeed GQ threads asking for specific food safety advice that were on my mind)… ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/26 "2010-09-12T22:02:03Z")
Wouldn’t any food related questions belong in Cafe Society? I’m sure I’ve seen threads about the safety of old canned food there. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/27 "2010-09-12T22:19:24Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] I had no idea this had changed - the FAQ in GQ still forbids specific medical advice requests. [/QUOTE] Technically, you’re correct. It seems to “forbid” such threads, What we intended is to tell posters that threads asking about their medical condition need to go in IMHO, where they are at the mercy of [del]idiots[/del] posters who are merely giving their opinions. I’ll see if we can’t make it clearer. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/28 "2010-09-12T22:30:35Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > OK… so…back on track then (since it was indeed GQ threads asking for specific food safety advice that were on my mind)… So … report the post and a mod will move the thread to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/29 "2010-09-12T22:48:38Z")
OK, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/30 "2010-09-12T22:54:26Z")
Given your username, **Mangetout** , it does seem funny to me that you’re raising such a fuss about this particular topic. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/31 "2010-09-12T23:14:45Z")
It is somewhat ironic - but it’s a name that rather exaggerates the reality of the situation - I enjoy a broad and varied diet, but I have limits. However, it just seems wrong that ignorance and misinformation about food hygiene just seems to consistently fly under the radar here. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/32 "2010-09-13T05:28:37Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > > > I picked a cherry tomato on my terrace this morning, and it took me 12 seconds to carry it into the kitchen and rinse it off in lukewarm tap water–is it safe for me put it in a salad, or do I have to had eaten it as soon as it came off the vine? Need answer fast. > > You should put a table and chair in your garden and eat it there. _ **pulls up lawn chair to watch trainwreck thread** _ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/33 "2010-09-13T06:30:07Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > The problem happens when someone asks, for example: “I left this chicken soup in the sun all day, can I safely eat it?”, and someone else replies “If it smells good, it will be OK”, which is simply incorrect. Can you point to an actual case like this? Where the sarcasm is not obvious? I understand what you are asking for, but I’m curious how bad this has been, or how often it’s happened. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/34 "2010-09-13T06:59:30Z")
Frankly it sounds just like my [butter thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=576123). Which I’ll defend to my last breath! How else would I have learned that whipped butter is made with nitrogen instead of air? Now I ask you. I researched the question outside the SDMB but wanted more of an interactive response, so I went here. And I think the answers I received were helpful. Honestly I almost always err on the side of crazy cautiousness, 'cause I’m paranoid like that. But there were enough responses to the contrary that I was able to save the butter rather than toss it. And it was/is yummy, btw. (It’s still in my fridge; I don’t go through butter that quickly.) ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/35 "2010-09-13T07:35:14Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > It is somewhat ironic - but it’s a name that rather exaggerates the reality of the situation - I enjoy a broad and varied diet, but I have limits. > > However, it just seems wrong that ignorance and misinformation about food hygiene just seems to consistently fly under the radar here. What ignorance and misinformation are you calling out? Every time one of these questions get posted, answers range from the food spoils the instant it is opened, to answers like “I once ate a year old twinkie.” The USDA food safety recommendations err strongly on the side of caution. Lots of foodies err on the side of danger, like with unpasteurized cheese. The absolute fact is that it’s a percentage game, and everything is going to be a wild ass guess. If you’re concerned with people’s safety, then the only permissible answer is a link to the USDA guidelines. But I don’t see any problem with discussing the issue, even if some people are ignorant or wrong, rather than scaremongering to be on the safe side – living in fear of getting sued by the guy who followed SD advice and got sick is pretty silly. On the other hand, there has been a serious decline in GQ answer quality due to people jumping in with WAGs on every conceivable subject. Look at practically every legal question thread – we have many lawyers, but we have a lot more laymen with no clue who drown out good answers with completely wrong info. The answer is either more enforcement and gentle reminders of GQ protocol, or for posters to provide more cites and better info when they think answers provided are of low quality. Your choice. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/36 "2010-09-13T18:31:01Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > > [@Mangetout](#): > > > > It is somewhat ironic - but it’s a name that rather exaggerates the reality of the situation - I enjoy a broad and varied diet, but I have limits. > > > > However, it just seems wrong that ignorance and misinformation about food hygiene just seems to consistently fly under the radar here. > > What ignorance and misinformation are you calling out? Every time one of these questions get posted, answers range from the food spoils the instant it is opened, to answers like “I once ate a year old twinkie.” Well, I’m tempted to say that you answered your own question there, since you described a spectrum of answers encompassing the whole scale from one extreme to the other - so they can’t all be correct. But the kind of misinformation that springs immediately to my mind is “if it still smells good, it will be OK” - which is simply untrue. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/37 "2010-09-13T18:57:08Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I’ll see if we can’t make it clearer. I have edited the rule (again) to make it a bit clearer that the rule about specific advice applies to GQ only; such threads are permitted in IMHO under the revised policy. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/38 "2010-09-13T18:58:44Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > But the kind of misinformation that springs immediately to my mind is “if it still smells good, it will be OK” - which is simply untrue. You’ll get BS answers to any kind of question you ask here. Questions regarding medical advice and food aren’t special. The Dope isn’t responsible for people’s safety. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/39 "2010-09-13T19:14:38Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > [@Mangetout](#): > > > > But the kind of misinformation that springs immediately to my mind is “if it still smells good, it will be OK” - which is simply untrue. > > You’ll get BS answers to any kind of question you ask here. Questions regarding medical advice and food aren’t special. The Dope isn’t responsible for people’s safety. Maybe so. Maybe this one is just at the forefront of my attention, is all, but it always seems to me that the bullshit about food safety is tiresomely common and too often seems to get a free pass. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489/40 "2010-09-13T19:48:35Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > > You’ll get BS answers to any kind of question you ask here. Questions regarding medical advice and food aren’t special. The Dope isn’t responsible for people’s safety. > > Maybe so. Maybe this one is just at the forefront of my attention, is all, but it always seems to me that the bullshit about food safety is tiresomely common and too often seems to get a free pass. So go pitt stupid people’s inaccurate food safety advice. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-food-safe-to-eat-threads/553489.md?page=3)