Food Safety this Christmas

Date published: 16th December 2025

Each year about 70,000 people in England and Wales suffer from food poisoning and seek medical advice, but this figure – according to the Food Standards Agency – could be as high as 3.5 million, including those not needing to see a doctor. 
 
For most people, food poisoning (despite the unpleasantness), will be a thankfully short-lived illness. Christmas is one of those times of year when there is more food around and more competition for limited fridge space!  
 
Don’t let food poisoning ruin the Christmas period – here are some top tips! 
 
Turkey: 
 
Over a quarter of festive food shoppers get a frozen turkey and not properly thawing it out can lead to food poisoning; before cooking, make sure your turkey is properly thawed out (right through the centre!) before cooking starts. 
 
Take the turkey out earlier – better family and guests wait a little longer to eat it than end up unwell. Removing the neck and giblets will speed up the thawing process!  
 
There are three tests for cooking your turkey thoroughly – 1) the meat is piping hot all the way through, 2) the juices from the turkey are clear and the most exact, 3) the thickest part of the bird reaches over 75 degrees Celsius. 
 
Remove leftover turkey from the bones – if will take up a lot less space in your fridge, and other foods will fit in much easier. 

Refrigeration: 
 
Separate raw and ready to eat foods in the refrigerator, and prioritise ready to eat food storage over drinks – drinks can be stored in colder places like garages, or outside.  
 
Your fridge should be running at 1 degree to 4 degrees.  
 
Use up leftover cooked meats promptly, within 4-5 days and always keep them covered and refrigerated. Even food kept in the fridge will not last forever, so eat foods by their ‘use by date’ 
 
Food preparation: 
 
Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly in warm soapy water before and during cooking or food preparation, especially when handling raw meat. 
 
Keep your kitchen and work surfaces clean and make sure to use different chopping boards, knives or other equipment for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods without washing it thoroughly first in hot soapy water.  

Following these simple and common-sense rules should avoid you and your family getting food poisoning and let you have a happy, healthy and safe Christmas and New Year. 

To find out more from the Foods Standards Agency visit www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene