"but dare I feed it to my family?"

NO!

Like denise said, NO. (I'm sure you already know this by now.)

The cost of 5 lbs of ground beef is not worth the risk of making anyone sick.

I really can't believe it smelled good after 24 hours at 70 degrees.
If it just has bacteria growing in it, the cooking would kill the bacteria, but some bacteria produce toxins that cooking won't destroy. Camplobacter and strep aureus are 2.
Ground beef has lots and lots of surface to be contaminated and grow bad stuff in 24 hours....
I wouldn't eat that nor feed it to anyone...not even the dog.
Linda C

Did you really consider eating it??? I don't think that would have even crossed my mind after that length of time. The USDA says if the meat is left at temperatures over 40° for more than two hours (or one hour at 90°), it will start to develop bacteria.
Tracey

Here is a link that might be useful: USDA link

"If raw meat and poultry have been handled safely, using the above preparation recommendations will make them safe to eat. If raw meats have been mishandled (left in the "Danger Zone" too long), bacteria may grow and produce toxins which can cause foodborne illness. Those toxins that are heat resistant are not destroyed by cooking. Therefore, even though cooked, meat and poultry mishandled in the raw state may not be safe to eat even after proper preparation."

Here is a link that might be useful: How Temperatures Affect Food

I'm usually pretty flexible about stuff like that- BUT- the meat would go straight into the bin. And it would have cost me about $25, but I still would toss it out without hesitation.

Juuuust wondering...have you ever HAD food poisoning? I had a bad case of it in 1975 and still shudder about it! I cannot imagine a family coming down with food poisoning all at the same time!

Everyone's advice is right--don't eat it, don't feed it to the dog, just throw it out.

I'm a bit skeptical on some of the rules and guidelines and have been known to take a small chance here and there but that meat would be straight in the garbage!

Ground beef at 70 degrees for 24 hours? I am shocked it didn't smell but none the less in the garbage!

This is exactly what I needed. I should've explained that it wasn't in a 70 degree car for 24 hours- it is almost freezing at night here and warms to 70 by about 3pm. I don't know what nasties grow where but the beef smelled 100% fresh so I browned it and froze it.

I would in all likelihood not used it but it's in the trash now so no one will grab a package accidentally.

Thanks to all!

Good choice. It just isn't worth a chance. With that said many people still (my dad for one) defrost their burger in the sink or whatever and are fine. If it smelled good it was probably okay, but like sooz said if you have ever had food poisoning...and I did once around 1982...(did it somehow with my own cooking)..you just want to die...seriously. I was flat on my back for 3 days and even on day 4 when I went to work I felt like carp. I won't go into any more details (you can imagine)..but it is the worst thing health wise I have ever had.

Again, you made the right choice.

Duane

Food poisoning is awful. I had a bad piece of meat once long ago. Let's just say I was a very empty person for 3 days.

The ONLY thing I would do with it would be to pressure cook it for at least 20 minutes and then give it to my dog.

I did get food poisoning in college- at the campus corner organic restaurant! Several of us were hospitalized- it was bad.

You all were too nice. What was I thinking? If you'd given me a virtual slap upside the head it would be well deserved.

I've had food poisoning and it's not fun TOSS IT and don't look back!!!!!!!!!

Linda

Oh no, I'm very glad you didn't eat it. I got food poisoning last year from one of my favorite meals (chicken tikka masala) and spent three awful days in my pajamas. I haven't made that dish or bought the yogurt I used again. The yogurt was the only difference I could figure between what I ate and what my husband ate. I'd mixed up a tiny little bowl with some vanilla sugar as a snack while I was cooking and my husband only had the cooked yogurt on the chicken. I know it wasn't the dinner itself, but I still can't get around my mental block. I would hate for you to have such a negative association with something you love.

Long story short I'm very glad you didn't eat that hamburger!

Bri

I couldnt or wouldnt even feed it to my dog.Not worth taking a chance w/ beloved pet either,

Shelley

I would trash it too. Who was it with the eggs many years ago?? I remember Roger getting a rise out of that one. LOL

I've found the ice cream in the fridge more than once over the years...lol does that count?!

David

David, most of the people reading this post won't know Roger. I miss him! But that was long ago!