Food Safety Watchdog Warns of Holiday Meal Risks

The Food Standards Agency highlights common food hygiene mistakes that could lead to illness during Christmas celebrations.

Nearly half of surveyed Christmas cooks admit to not always checking use-by dates, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
The FSA warns against 'buffet roulette,' where food is left out for hours, allowing bacteria to grow rapidly.
A lack of fridge space leads 27% of households to store perishable food in inappropriate locations like garages or porches.
Basic hygiene practices, such as washing hands and cleaning surfaces, are often overlooked during the busy festive period.
The FSA advises keeping fridges at 5°C or below, properly defrosting turkeys, and cooking all meat thoroughly to avoid contamination.