6 Common Food Hygiene Fails to Avoid This Christmas

The festive season is a time for feasting, but are you keeping it safe in the kitchen? The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revealed some alarming food hygiene “fails” from its Consumer Insights Tracker (CIT).

Read on to reveal the top six mistakes you might be making—and how to avoid them!

1. Not Checking the Use-By Date

46% of people don't check use-by dates.

Almost half (46%) of people admit they don’t always check use-by dates before cooking or preparing food at home. This oversight could put you on the naughty list! Always double-check dates to ensure your ingredients are safe to use.

2. Buffet Roulette

45% of people eat chilled food after it's been left out of the fridge for hours.

Leaving food out for hours during festive buffets is a gamble 45% of people are willing to take. Eating leftovers that have been out too long increases the risk of foodborne illnesses. Keep perishable dishes out for no more than two hours or store them properly in the fridge.

3. Cooking Meat Past Its Use-By Date

39% of people have cooked out-of-date raw meat.

Around 39% of respondents confessed to occasionally cooking raw meat, like turkey or sausages, after its use-by date. This risky habit could lead to serving “dodgy pigs in blankets.

Always prioritise freshness when it comes to meat and ensure that it is within the use-by date.

Cooking meat past its use-by date increases the risk of food poisoning from harmful bacteria that can grow even if the meat looks or smells fine.