Heirlooom yogurt ferment left overnight on counter

[Fourthriver]

I've been fermenting a Bulgarian heirloom yogurt that I obtained from Cultures for Health several years ago. I currently use a Yogotherm yogurt maker, which has no power source. A few nights ago I went to bed and neglected to remove the yogurt from the Yogotherm. The batch sat there in the Yogotherm on the kitchen counter from about 2 pm until 7 am, for a total of about 17 hours. When I removed the jar from the Yogotherm it seemed to be still very faintly warm, but of course way past the time when I should have refrigerated it. I'm a bit concerned about the safety of the yogurt, and also about the continuing viability of the culture. Would anyone have advice on this? I'm culturing another small batch to feed the culture, but the safety issue remains. It's been a few days now and I haven't yet eaten any of the yogurt, and also worry about giving it to my young grandsons. Thanks for any advice or help with this!

[Christopher Weeks]

I'm not a yogurt expert, but I'd count on the good bugs outcompeting the bad bugs to keep you safe. If it were mine, I'd taste a little and see if my tummy gets rumbly. If it probably wouldn't and then I'd call it fine. But if it did, I'd probably wait a couple days and try again to confirm. If it's bad, then I'd toss it in the compost.