Whether it’s safe to eat salmon that has been left out overnight is a common question for home cooks. Salmon is a delicate fish that can spoil quickly if not stored properly. However, with some basic food safety knowledge, you can determine if that fillet left on the counter overnight is still OK to eat.
How long can raw salmon be left at room temperature?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), raw salmon should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After this point, bacteria can multiply quickly and increase the risk of foodborne illness.
Some key time and temperature guidelines from the USDA on raw salmon storage include:
- Refrigerate salmon within 2 hours of purchasing or preparing
- Only store raw salmon in the refrigerator for 1-2 days maximum
- Do not leave raw salmon in the “danger zone” between 40°F-140°F for more than 2 hours
So within these USDA guidelines, raw salmon that has sat out on the counter overnight for 8-12 hours is not considered safe to eat. However, there are still some considerations before throwing that fish in the garbage.
How to tell if salmon is bad after being left out
If your freshly-bought raw salmon fillet or steak was accidentally left out overnight, check for the following signs of spoilage before determining if it needs to be discarded:
- Sliminess – Fresh salmon has a smooth, glossy appearance. If it has become significantly more slimy, sticky or tacky to the touch, this indicates bacterial growth and spoilage.
- Fishy odor – Fresh salmon has a mild, ocean-like smell. An unpleasant or strong fishy, ammonia-like odor is a sign it has started rotting.
- Discoloration – The flesh should look bright pink/orange or light pink, depending on the species. Any grayish, brown or greenish tinting indicates decomposition.
- Dull, dry appearance – The flesh should look glossy and moist. If it has dried out or looks duller in color, this is a sign of spoilage.
You should also watch out for visible slime, mold or slimy residues leaking from the salmon. If you notice any of these warning signs, it is safest to discard the salmon.
What temperature zone is the “danger zone” for fish?
The “danger zone” for perishable foods like fish is between 40°F and 140°F. This is the temperature range where bacteria can grow and multiply very quickly. Salmon left out overnight at typical room temperatures will remain in this danger zone.
Temperatures within the danger zone allow bacteria like salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and various strains of Escherichia coli to grow rapidly. Many of these bacteria can lead to foodborne illness when consumed.
It’s important to minimize the time any perishable food, including raw salmon, spends in the 40°-140° danger zone. Otherwise, bacteria may multiply to hazardous levels within just 2 hours.
Can you get food poisoning from eating bad salmon?
Yes, you can get food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, from eating spoiled, raw salmon. Food poisoning occurs when you consume food contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Here are some common causes of food poisoning from spoiled fish:
- Salmonella – Raw seafood is a major source of this pathogenic bacteria. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
- Clostridium botulinum – This bacteria produces a toxin that causes botulism, a severe paralytic illness. It thrives without oxygen in contaminated foods.
- Shigella – A bacteria that can spread from contaminated surfaces to food. It causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain.
- Norovirus – A highly contagious virus that leads to vomiting and diarrhea. Raw shellfish and contaminated surfaces can spread norovirus.
- Vibrio – Bacteria found in coastal waters that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Eating spoiled salmon can introduce high levels of these pathogens into your digestive tract, increasing your risk of illness. Those most at risk include pregnant women, children, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals.
How long do food poisoning symptoms take to appear?
Symptoms of food poisoning usually begin 6 to 48 hours after eating contaminated salmon or other unsafe seafood. However, the timing can vary based on:
- The pathogen – Bacteria cause symptoms faster, within hours. Viruses take longer, up to a few days.
- Amount consumed – The more contaminated food eaten, the less time before illness occurs.
- Your age and health – Those with weaker immune systems may get sick faster.
Here are general timelines for common foodborne illnesses:
| Illness | Onset Time | Common Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Salmonella | 6-72 hours | Diarrhea, fever, cramps, nausea |
| Campylobacter | 2-5 days | Diarrhea, cramps, fever, nausea |
| Vibrio | 12-24 hours | Watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea |
| Norovirus | 12-48 hours | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever |
Seek medical care if food poisoning symptoms are severe or prolonged. Be sure to mention you may have eaten spoiled salmon.
What are signs of a severe case of food poisoning?
In otherwise healthy adults, mild food poisoning often resolves within a few unpleasant days. But certain red flag symptoms indicate a more serious illness requiring medical attention. Seek emergency care if you experience:
- Blood or pus in stool
- Extreme vomiting where you cannot keep down liquids
- Severe diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
- High fever above 101.5°F
- Signs of dehydration like dizziness or fainting
- Blurred vision, impaired speech, or weakness
- Severe abdominal pain or swelling
Infants, small children, elderly, pregnant women, and those with health conditions should also see a doctor for any concerning food poisoning symptoms. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance are greater risks for high-risk groups.
How long does food poisoning last if not treated?
The duration of food poisoning depends on the specific pathogen, amount ingested, your age, and general health status. For healthy adults, mild cases often resolve in:
- 24-48 hours for common bacterial infections like E. coli or Salmonella
- 24-72 hours for viral gastroenteritis like norovirus
- Up to a week for certain bacterial illnesses or parasite infections
Without treatment, foodborne illness can last significantly longer and become life-threatening in those at high risk. Proper medical care from a physician can help reduce the duration. Home care to manage symptoms like hydration and rest is also important.
Can you die from food poisoning?
Death from food poisoning is rare in healthy adults with access to medical care. However, certain high-risk groups have a greater chance of life-threatening complications.
Those most at risk include:
- Older adults
- Infants and young children
- Pregnant women
- Those with compromised immune systems
- Individuals with chronic diseases like kidney failure, cirrhosis, diabetes, or cancer
Without prompt treatment, severe dehydration and septic shock from foodborne illness can be fatal. Seeking immediate medical care improves outcomes in high-risk groups.
Globally, foodborne diseases cause approximately 420,000 deaths each year, most commonly in underdeveloped regions lacking access to medical treatment and proper sanitation.
How long does it take to recover from food poisoning?
For otherwise healthy adults, complete recovery time for mild to moderate food poisoning usually takes:
- 24-48 hours once symptoms resolve for viral infections
- 1 week for most bacterial and parasitic illnesses
However, recovery time also depends on factors like:
- Your age and overall health
- How early treatment began
- If the pathogen caused secondary issues like dehydration or malnutrition
- If antibiotics or other specific treatments were prescribed
High-risk groups like infants, elderly, pregnant women, or immunocompromised patients have longer recovery times, especially if complications like dehydration develop.
In severe cases with major complications, full recovery can take weeks or even months requiring hospitalization.
How to prevent getting sick from spoiled salmon
You can prevent foodborne illness from spoiled salmon and other unsafe seafood by:
- Refrigerating salmon right away after buying it
- Storing salmon in a refrigerator set below 40°F
- Never leaving salmon in the danger zone above 40°F for over 2 hours
- Thawing frozen salmon in the fridge, cold water, or microwave rather than at room temperature
- Marinating salmon in the refrigerator
- Cooking salmon to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to kill pathogens
- Avoiding cross-contamination by keeping raw salmon away from ready-to-eat foods
- Discarding any salmon that has an unpleasant odor, sticky texture, or unusual color
Following the basic rules of refrigeration, safe thawing, prep, and cooking can help keep salmon free of dangerous levels of bacteria. When in doubt, remember the old adage – when in doubt, throw it out!
Can spoiled salmon make dogs sick?
Yes, dogs can also get sick from eating spoiled, raw salmon contaminated with pathogens. Dogs are at risk of foodborne illnesses including:
- Salmonella – Leads to vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.
- Campylobacteriosis – Causes diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
- Clostridium botulinum – Causes paralysis, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and muscle weakness.
- Listeria – Results in fever, muscle tremors, and neurological symptoms.
To prevent dog food poisoning, do not feed dogs:
- Raw fish that has been left out of refrigeration over 2 hours
- Raw salmon juices and drippings
- Partially thawed frozen salmon
- Salmon with a strange odor or appearance
Only feed dogs thoroughly cooked salmon stored properly after cooking. Discard any leftover cooked salmon after 3-4 days in the fridge. If your dog shows any symptoms of food poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Takeaways
- Raw salmon should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours before cooking or discarding. Salmon left out overnight has likely spoiled and can cause foodborne illness if eaten.
- Look for signs of spoilage like sliminess, smell, dull flesh, and unusual colors before determining if salmon left overnight can be eaten.
- Consuming spoiled salmon can cause food poisoning from Listeria, Salmonella, Vibrio, norovirus, and other pathogens leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
- Take salmon left out overnight seriously. Food poisoning can be life-threatening for those in high-risk groups like the elderly, infants, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses.
- Prevent illness by refrigerating salmon right after buying, thawing properly, cooking to safe temperatures, and avoiding cross-contamination.
When in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry. If that delicious salmon fillet or steak has been sitting out on the counter overnight, the best bet is to throw it away.