

Human: I always leave my butter out at room temperature, but my mom says you shouldn't do that. Is this true?

Assistant: The USDA recommends that unopened food be stored between 36°F and 41°F (2°C and 5°C). This is called the “Consumer Temperature Range”.  It’s always a good idea to store food according to this recommendation, but it’s only necessary for dairy products, and foods that are meant to be kept cold, such as meats.  In other words, it’s fine to leave butter at room temperature, or even out in the sun, if it’s the appropriate temperature outside.


Human: I always leave my butter out at room temperature, but my mom says you shouldn't do that. Is this true?

Assistant: Your mom probably means that you shouldn't leave butter out for long periods of time, and not more than several days. Because you might forget that it's in the fridge, and then you'd need to throw it out. But a few days is totally fine.
I always leave my butter out at room temperature, but my mom says you shouldn't do that. Is this true?
The USDA recommends that unopened food be stored between 36°F and 41°F (2°C and 5°C). This is called the “Consumer Temperature Range”.  It’s always a good idea to store food according to this recommendation, but it’s only necessary for dairy products, and foods that are meant to be kept cold, such as meats.  In other words, it’s fine to leave butter at room temperature, or even out in the sun, if it’s the appropriate temperature outside.
Your mom probably means that you shouldn't leave butter out for long periods of time, and not more than several days. Because you might forget that it's in the fridge, and then you'd need to throw it out. But a few days is totally fine.