Christmas is a time for family, good food, and celebration, not for a trip to the emergency room.
Yet every year, hospitals across World report a spike in food poisoning cases during the festive season.
Experts say that with a few simple precautions, you can keep your holiday meal both joyful and safe.
Common kitchen mistakes that lead to illness
According to WA Health, most cases of food poisoning start at home due to poor hygiene.
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Many people assume they can tell when food has gone bad, but bacteria rarely change how food looks, smells, or tastes.
Dr. Michael Lindsay, Executive Director of Environmental Health at WA Health, warns that symptoms don’t always appear right away.
"Food poisoning symptoms can take between a few hours to a few days to start depending on the cause", he said to ABC News.
Cross-contamination is one of the most frequent mistakes. Always keep raw foods separate from cooked or ready-to-eat items.
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Use different knives and chopping boards for each. And whatever you do, never wash raw chicken, splashing water can spread bacteria around your kitchen.
Raw meat should be stored on the bottom shelf of the fridge, ideally in a tray to catch any juices.
Make sure your refrigerator stays below 5°C (41°F) to slow bacterial growth.
The two-hour rule and leftovers
Bacteria thrive in warm weather, so how long food sits out can make a big difference.
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Any perishable food that’s been at room temperature for more than two hours should be refrigerated.
If it’s been sitting out for over four hours, it should go straight in the bin.
Leftovers are fine to enjoy for a few days, if stored properly. Let hot food cool slightly before putting it in the fridge to prevent raising the internal temperature and spoiling other items.
Simple hygiene steps that make all the difference
Good hygiene is the easiest way to protect your guests:
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- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling food.
- Clean utensils and surfaces after preparing raw ingredients.
- If you’ve recently had gastro or another stomach illness, let someone else handle the cooking.
With a little planning and care, you can keep your Christmas festive, flavorful, and free from foodborne bacteria, so everyone leaves the table smiling, not sick.
Sources: ABC News
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