I think you'd get away with at least two hours. But if you can keep it in the shade, or on an ice pack or in a chill bowl, so much the better.

Unless it turns green with mold, I have never even heard of anyone getting sick from eating spoiled cheese.

It is a cheese, so I'd give it a little longer than a hour before I tossed it or worried. I mean, you can backpack for a week with hard cheeses and not worry about them. But I don't worry much in general, so maybe you don't want to go by me!

My rule of thumb is an hour. If you can find a chill bowl ( has an insert that you freeze and then it keeps food cold longer) that would help.

How long do you think soft mozzarella cheese can sit at room temp and not go bad/breed bacteria? I want to pack for a picnic a pasta salad with soft mozzarella in it, and when I take it out of the cooler I'd like to have an idea how long it can sit out. It will be dressed in an oil based dressing (no mayo). Thanks.