Information on Loughborough

Food Safety Tips to Avoid Turkey Tummy

Posted on 22/12/2008

Charnwood Borough Council is advising residents how they can avoid falling fowl of turkey tummy this Christmas.

Everyone can stay in the Christmas spirit by following these simple food safety tips from Charnwood Borough Councils Environmental Health Officers.

  • If you are buying a frozen turkey, make sure that you leave enough time to defrost the turkey thoroughly, preferably in the fridge. A fresh turkey should also be kept in the fridge until you are ready to start cooking.
  • Always keep raw and cooked foods separate.
  • Make sure your hands, utensils and worktops are kept clean. Items such as knives and chopping boards should be washed with hot soapy water and disinfectant after preparing raw foods.
  • The giblets should be removed before cooking. It is also a good idea to cook the stuffing separately rather than in the cavity of the bird. Putting stuffing in the cavity of the bird increases the overall cooking time.
  • Make sure you leave enough time to cook your turkey right through. Check it is cooked by putting a skewer into the deepest part and checking that the juices run clear. If the juice is still pink it needs more cooking.
  • Once you have finished your Christmas lunch, make sure any leftovers go into the fridge. Dont leave food hanging around at room temperature. Food should be kept at 50C or below, so make sure you have a thermometer in your fridge so that you can check the temperature of your food.
  • Make sure any leftovers are eaten within two days.
  • Take care with dishcloths and tea towels, they can spread bacteria round your kitchen. Change cloths regularly and make sure you do not spread bacteria from an area used to prepare raw food to the rest of the kitchen.

Christmas comes but once a year, so make sure yours is a happy one. If you need any further advice, please contact Environmental Health on Loughborough 01509 634656 or go to www.foodstandards.gov.uk or www.nhs.uk or www.britishturkey.co.uk