PRESS RELEASE

11 December 2009

Top tips for safe turkeys!

With Christmas just around the corner, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has issued a timely reminder about food safety.

Dr Vinod Tohani, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with the PHA is encouraging everyone to be particularly careful when preparing turkey and poultry. Here he highlights a few simple safety guidelines.

Separate raw and cooked food

during storage, thawing and preparation. Work surfaces and preparation equipment should be cleaned immediately after use.

Thaw completely

otherwise cooking will not destroy food poisoning germs. Poultry should never be re-frozen after thawing. Poultry is considered to be properly thawed if there are no ice crystals left inside and the legs are flexible. Once thawed, it should be cooked as soon as possible.

Prepare carefully

removing the giblets. Do not stuff the body cavity. Cook the stuffing in the neck cavity or separately in aluminium foil.

Always wash your hands

with warm water and soap, and dry them thoroughly, after touching raw poultry.Also clean your worktops, chopping boards, dishes and utensils thoroughly after they have touched raw poultry.

Cook thoroughly

as food poisoning germs are often present in raw poultry and must be destroyed by thorough cooking. Poultry is considered cooked when the juices run clear. If there is a pink tinge, cook for a further 15 minutes and re-test.

Cool quickly

if not for immediate serving and store in a refrigerator.

Avoid reheating

if possible, but if essential, reheating must be thorough.

Martina McNulty, Principal Environmental Health Officer with the Southern Group Environmental Health adds: “To ensure that you and your family have a happy and safe Christmas you should follow these simple but important steps.”

If you require any further information or advice on safe food preparation this Christmas then you can contact your local Council's Environmental Health Department or log onto the Food Standards Agency website:

www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/seasonsandcelebrations/winter/saferchristmaseating/

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For further information contact Elaine Hyde, PR Assistant on (028) 3741 4597