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food poisoning Millions of people are affected every year in the UK and the risk increases during Christmas. Large family meals, raw poultry, packed fridges and buffet meals all increase the chance of contamination.
In the UK, the most common bacterial causes of food poisoning are Campylobacter and SalmonellaBoth of these are often found on raw chicken.
Whereas Most cases of food poisoning are mild And frankly, they can be serious for vulnerable groups. These include very young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and a general feeling of being unwell.
Although no UK statistics have been published specifically for food poisoning at Christmas, there are over 2.4 million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year. Public health agencies see a consistent seasonal increase in cases during the festive period, which is thought to be linked to the widespread preparation of poultry such as turkey.
So what is it about Christmas that makes it such a risky time of year? Here’s a closer look at the festive eating habits that increase the risk of food poisoning and how to avoid them.
Usage dates are not being checked
Checking use-by dates is especially important at Christmas, when fridges are often full and food is already purchased. Foods labeled “use by” are highly perishable and must be stored properly in the refrigerator and eaten within the specified time to prevent bacterial growth.
Even if the food is still within the date, it should not be eaten if the packaging looks swollen or the food smells or looks unusual when opened. These are signs of possible bacterial or fungal contamination, and it is safer to throw the food away.
Thawing or Washing Frozen Poultry
Large frozen birds such as turkeys can take several days to thaw completely in the refrigerator. Cooking poultry that is not completely defrosted can result in uneven cooking, which may allow bacteria to survive in the center of the meat.
Washing raw poultry before cooking is unnecessary and increases the risk of food poisoning. Poultry sold in supermarkets and butchers is already cleaned. Washing it may cause splashes of bacteria such as Campylobacter And Salmonella On sinks, work surfaces, hands, clothing, and nearby foods, causing cross-contamination.
Cook your Christmas dinner less
Poultry can contain bacteria throughout the meat, not just on the surface, so the entire bird must be thoroughly cooked to make it safe to eat.
Always follow the cooking instructions on the packaging. These times are usually based on the unstuffed bird. Poultry cooked with stuffing inside the cavity often takes longer, and the heat does not reach the center properly, allowing bacteria to survive.
The only way to make poultry safe is to cook it thoroughly. Using a food thermometer may help. It is safe to eat chicken when the thickest part reaches at least 75°C, a temperature that effectively kills food poisoning bacteria.
For this reason, it is safer to cook the stuffing in a separate dish rather than inside the bird.
Hand washing and kitchen hygiene
Good hygiene is essential when preparing raw meat, poultry, fish or vegetables.
After handling raw foods, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Clean and disinfect chopping boards, knives and work surfaces to prevent cross-contamination.
Don’t prepare food for others if you have vomiting or diarrhea, especially caused by highly contagious viruses like norovirus or rotavirus.
Improper storage of Christmas leftovers
Food poisoning bacteria are present everywhere, including in the kitchen and on fresh foods. Refrigeration slows their growth, but only if the refrigerator temperature remains between 0 and 5°C.
At Christmas, fridges are often overloaded, which can cause internal temperatures to rise and bacteria to grow. Avoid storing items in the fridge that do not require refrigeration.
Leftover food should be cooled, covered, and refrigerated within two hours. At room temperature, the number of some bacteria can double every 20 minutes. Leftover food should be eaten within two days.
If you can’t eat leftovers within this time, freeze them. They can be kept safe for three months when stored at -18°C.
Christmas Dining Out and Party Buffet
Around 60% of food poisoning cases in the UK are linked to food eaten outside the home.
Even in restaurants with high cleanliness ratings, food may be contaminated by people, insects, or the environment.
About the author
Primrose Freestone is Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester. This article is republished from Conversation Under Creative Commons license. read the Original article here,
Buffets pose particular risks because perishable foods can be left out for very long periods of time.
Food should not be left out for more than two hours unless it has been refrigerated or, in the case of hot food, kept above 60 degrees Celsius. If you take home leftovers from a buffet, refrigerate them immediately and reheat them until warm before eating.
Following these food safety tips can help reduce the risk of food poisoning this Christmas. In addition to food-related hazards, St John Ambulance has also highlighted other festive accidents worth noting.
I hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe holidays.
merry christmas.