Having Christmas Turkey? Washing Turkey May be a Food Risk, Plus Other Christmas Advice You Should Know

Are you planning to have turkey as your center piece roast for this very near Holiday Christmas event? Stop whatever you're doing now, read this article before you do anything to that turkey!

First of all, don't wash your turkey because washing the butter ball poultry can be bad for your health.

Rachelle Williams from the Food Safety Information Council explains:

Washing the raw turkey, or any other poultry, can spread food poisoning bacteria around your kitchen where it can contaminate your sink area and other food, utensils and your hands. 

So, the burning question you probably have right now - how do you clean the bird before actually cooking it?

Since the last thing the poultry needs is a bath, cooking the turkey to 75 degrees Celcius is the best way to kill the bacteria present on the skin and inside the meat of the bird.

A survey was conducted where 68% of adults wash their turkeys before cooking, roasting, frying or grilling.

This is a food safety concern that should not be over-looked, Williams stresses.

Other things you should know before the Holidays happen are the following:

First, never ever put beer in the refrigerator. Why? It saves you electricity if you'd put beer and other beverages in a tub with ice.

Second, never ever order too much food from the caterers. Or else you'll have so much left over food that will last you until January. But if you do have left overs, refrigerate them as soon as you can in small containers.

Never leave food out for hours. Remember, foods are perishable. It's better to put out small portions of each, one at a time.

Do you have Christmas Ham? Always check the storage instructions. Hams, whether dried or frozen, are perishable items. It's best to coat the ham in a clean cloth soaked in water and vinegar so it will not dry up. Also best to store it in a 5C temperature in your fridge.

Remember these online tips and you'll be fine in your family Holiday gathering.

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