Festive Food Safety Tips For This Christmas

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Environmental Health team are reminding residents to follow some simple food safety tips this Christmas when preparing their turkeys to help keep the festive period free from the misery of food poisoning. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By following these practical steps when preparing the turkey, residents can help to eliminate food related illnesses during the festive season: – ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• If you buy a frozen turkey ensure it’s completely thawed before you cook it by checking there are no ice crystals in the cavity. Also use a fork to test the thickest parts of the meat. A larger turkey can take up to two days to defrost entirely
• Don’t wash your turkey before cooking. Washing is more likely to splash any bugs on to worktops, dishes and other foods. Proper cooking will kill them more effectively than washing
• Plan your cooking time properly. Follow the cooking times and other instructions on the label or, as a general guide, for a turkey under 4.5kg allow 45 minutes per kilo plus 20 minutes; for one weighing between 4.5kg and 6.5kg 40 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes; and for those over 6.5kg 35 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes. All at 180ºC, 350ºF, Gas Mark 4 (after the oven has preheated)
• Check the turkey is cooked properly by cutting into the thickest part of the meat. None of the meat should still be pink and any juices that run out should be clear. Finally, the meat should be steaming hot all the way through

Cllr Nigel George, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services said: “Don’t let food poisoning ruin your Christmas. Be sure to leave plenty of time for your turkey to defrost and cook properly. By sticking to the basic rules of food safety, this will ensure that no one is at risk of food poisoning during the festive period”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​