Jarred salsa left out - keep or trash?

[lawgirl3278]

I bought Trader Joe's salsa and had some for lunch yesterday. I left it, closed, on my desk at work overnight. You're supposed to refrigerate it after opening. Should I trash it? Thanks!

[tcamp]

When salsa goes really bad, the fermenting smell is immediately obvious when you open the lid. I'd just taste and keep it if it tastes normal.

[gordeaux]

I'd eat it as is.
It's got enough salt, vinegar, and sugar for me to not be worried at all about it. Nuke it hot and be safe if you want - it's already cooked.

[greygarious]

I'd be inclined to use it in chili, soup, or another dish which would cook it thoroughly.

[fourunder]

Unless your work environment is extremely hot.....it's perfectly fine.

[Euonymous]

Smell it. Taste a little bit of it. If it smells or tastes nasty, throw it out. If it's OK, put it in the fridge and enjoy another day.

[blue room]

The answer would depend on so many things, there's no way for anyone out here to know.
The Universal Edibilty Test exists,
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/un...

but that might be overkill for your problem.

I personally wouldn't be too worried about salsa -- it's not raw chicken, but of course better safe than sorry. I'd refrigerate it for some hours, then taste just a bit and wait to see if I am (and it is) okay.