Avoid the unwanted gift of food poisoning this Christmas, warns FSS

To make sure Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is warning the public to make sure Christmas dinner is properly cooked.

Despite the ongoing Covid-19 guidance to limit social gatherings this Christmas, there are a few tips the FFS provide to ensure everyone has a safe festive period.

The UK government estimates that there are over a million cases of food poisoning a year and that the festive turkey and kilted sausages can be to blame.

Emma Agnew from FSS says their Christmas gift to us is sharing the importance of food preparation, especially the handling of raw meat – cross-contamination can spread harmful germs around the kitchen.

Similarly, she recommends that a meat thermometer can be a great stocking filler, to avoid the consequences of an uncooked turkey:

“Make sure there is no pink meat, the juices run clear, and it reaches 75°C in the thickest part.”

Although many of us are guilty of having a plate of leftovers as the night goes on, FSS insist that the pigs in blankets and other uneaten food be put in the fridge as soon as possible.

Speaking of fridges, they are often stuffed full at Christmas time as we stock up on essentials for the family and friends visiting – FFS says this can cause problems:

“We tend to buy more than usual at Christmas, which often means cramming our fridge full of festive food. When your fridge is full, its temperature can rise, and food poisoning bacteria can grow if the fridge isn’t cold enough.”

Of course, preparation is key, and many of us do the Christmas shopping early to avoid the crowds – but FSS warn that the use-by dates should always be checked and adhered to, even if the product looks and smells fine.

You can find more information on food safety on the FSS website.