Feast Without Fear: How to Keep Your Holiday Meals Safe

Christmas is coming, bringing with it good times, family and friendly gatherings... and lots of lunches and dinners.

But even though we use this time of year to disconnect, bacteria don't give us a break, which is why we must be careful to avoid food poisoning that could ruin our Christmas.

At Alpha Biosciences, we want to help you, so here are some tips that we hope will be useful.

Which typical Christmas foods are more susceptible to contamination?

• Poultry products, especially raw or undercooked

• Raw seafood

• Desserts with a high egg content

• Undercooked pork

• Leftovers

How can we prevent it?

• Temperature control: keep raw foods below 40°F and cooked foods above 140°F. Using a food thermometer to check internal temperatures is highly recommended.

• Avoid cross-contamination: use different kitchen utensils for raw and cooked foods to prevent the transfer of bacteria from raw to cooked foods.

• Cook foods thoroughly: especially those containing eggs.

• Maintain hygiene in the kitchen: wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces frequently to maintain a safe environment.

• Be careful with leftovers: It is very common to have a lot of leftovers after large meals, which is why it is more important than ever to refrigerate these foods as soon as possible to prevent contamination and bacterial growth.

• When doing the Christmas food shopping, use different bags for ready-to-eat foods and raw food, to avoid cross contamination.

Food safety starts with simple habits: clean, separate, cook, and chill foods properly. Always remember to follow these 4 C’s, a great way to teach children responsible and healthy habits from an early age.

• Clean: Wash hands and clean surfaces to reduce bacteria.
• Cross-Contamination: Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods apart to avoid cross-contamination.
• Cook: Cook foods thoroughly to kill harmful microorganisms.
• Chill: Refrigerate foods promptly to slow bacterial growth.

With these little reminders and tips, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday season. If you have any questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Alpha Biosciences!