Keeping Christmas food safe

Three quarters of Australian homes don’t have a meat thermometer – a device that can help you avoid food poisoning – when cooking the Christmas turkey.

That advice comes from the Food Safety Information Council.

The council says  that although meat thermometers  reduce the risk of food poisoning, only  23 per cent of Australian households own one.

And among those who do, only a third of those with a one have used it in the past month.

The council’s Chairman, Dr Michael Eyles, says there are several ways to lower the risk of food poisoning over Christmas.

“A meat thermometer ensures the safe cooking of poultry, and meats,” Dr Eyles added.

” It is also a vital piece of equipment if you want to get consistently good results from your cooking.

“It is not just about safety – remove the guesswork and be a better cook with a meat thermometer,” Dr Eyles said.

“There are an estimated 5.4 million cases of food poisoning in Australia each year, including 120 deaths,” he added.

” The risk of your family getting food poisoning increases around Christmas time as the weather warms up and we prepare food for larger numbers of people, some of whom may be in the high risk groups of the very young, pregnant women and the elderly. Using something as simple as a meat thermometer can reduce this risk,” Dr Eyles said.

The council also urges Australians who love picnics to:-

• Pick up a new Esky or insulated food container with plenty of refreezable cold packs.
• Buy a new picnic set with plates and cutlery that are easier to wash than the ancient ones.
• Give plenty of plastic containers with lids that will separate foods in the Esky and stop meat and chicken juices leaking on to foods which won’t be cooked such as salad vegetables and fruits.
• Some hand wipes or alcohol sanitizer to keep hands clean when picnicking away from running water.

And it says school children should have a bright insulated lunch container with a freezable drink container or ice brick to keep school lunches cool and safer (good for adult workers too)..