remained warmer. If you have any serious doubts, it is better not to take the risk. After thawing, an unusual odor or a slimy texture should be a clear sign to discard the item. Be careful, however: the fact that meat smells fine is no guarantee of safety. Pathogenic bacteria can be present without altering the appearance or the smell.
The safest
approach is to mentally retrace the item’s history: has it remained in the same spot for two years, without any power outages? If any doubt remains, err on
