AITA? I live with my parents and have made many meals for them as well. They cook, but they keep leaving food out for hours at room temperature (5-6 hours) with a lid on, but sometimes they just leave it in a pot uncovered on the stove top.
Due to the risk of bacteria growth, I never like to eat things they’ve left out for that many hours because I think it’s dangerous.
When I say I’m going to make something else for dinner, they say I’m ungrateful, and get so annoyed saying I’m being ridiculous and the meat will be fine.
I’ve tried offering putting it in the fridge before, and even said I’m concerned they will get sick if they leave it out for such long periods as it can grow bacteria left for long hours out. They say that’s stupid and it’s fine, and that they’ve never gotten sick before. AITA?
NTA, crapping your guts out (or worse) is no fun. Food safety is a science.
Do they ever read? Info about this is everywhere. Do they often have stomach trouble because this habit is probably the cause. You are NTA.
NTA, you’re following basic food safety guidelines, which say that food left out at room temperature should be thrown out after two hours.
If we were talk 2-2.5 hours then maybe, but five hours is an easy “no”
the “we’ve never gotten sick” argument is literally just survivorship bias in action, they got lucky and now think the laws of food science dont apply to them. NTA, you’re not being ungrateful for not wanting food poisoning, and honestly the fact that they dismiss your concerns about their own health is kind of wild.
No, I dont think so. I also don’t really see why they would even be offended that you would make your own food anyways? It’s always best to put your own health over people’s feelings. Don’t let people try to convince you otherwise.
NTA, they shouldn’t be ridiculing you for wanting to make food that you’re more comfortable eating
NTA. Do not risk it. Can you put a couple portions just for yourself in the refrigerator to reheat later? Would they do something stupid and immature like put it back on the counter?
NTA
Food safety is non-negotiable for me. I’m sorry you have to explain this to grown adults who don’t take it seriously.
NTA. Eating food that has been left out for 5 hours definitely goes against [food safety guidelines](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/leftovers-and-food-safety#_Danger) which say that you’re not supposed to leave cooked food out for more than 2 hours. While they have gotten lucky so far, that doesn’t mean that they will always be able to avoid food poisoning or that what they are doing is safe.
NTA that is dangerous. The end.
NTA. You could always put your portion in the fridge and leave the rest out to grow bacteria like a Petri dish.
I wouldn’t eat food that has been left out for hours either. They don’t have the right to control what you put in your body.
Some people are just stubborn and hate to be contradicted by their kids even if they are adults.
NTA. Skipping meat that’s been sitting out for 5–6 hours isn’t ungrateful. It’s basic food safety.
NTA. You’re right to be concerned, but even if you weren’t – why would they care? Your plan is to make your own food for yourself. It doesn’t affect them.
NTA, but do realize older adults become time blind, so may not realize it was so long. My grandpa would heat up food for dinner then leave it on the counter for hours before serving it to my disabled grandma. I was shocked to see it because he was a health inspector and spent his career considering food safety among other things. However his sense of time passing and sense of urgency left him.