Christmas food hygiene | Food Standards Agency

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <script type="text/javascript"> // Get all cookie_preferences cookie. var cookies = document.cookie.split('; '); if (typeof cookies !== "undefined") { var cook = cookies.filter(function(row) { return row.match(/^cookie_preferences/) })[0]; if (typeof cook !== "undefined") { cook = cook.toString(); cook = unescape(cook.split("=")[1].toString()); cook = JSON.parse(cook); window.cook = cook; } } window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)}; gtag('consent', 'default', { 'ad_storage': 'denied', 'analytics_storage': 'denied' }); // If cookies if (!cook || cook.analytics === 'no') { window['ga-disable-UA-54078849-3'] = true; window['ga-disable-UA-54078849-1'] = true; } else { gtag('consent', 'update', { analytics_storage: 'granted', }); } </script> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="description" content="Christmas food hygiene tips and how to cook your turkey safely." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Food Standards Agency" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Christmas food hygiene" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Christmas food hygiene tips and how to cook your turkey safely." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.food.gov.uk//themes/custom/fsa/share-default.png" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Christmas food hygiene" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@foodgov" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Christmas food hygiene tips and how to cook your turkey safely." /> <meta name="twitter:site:id" content="68686173" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.food.gov.uk//themes/custom/fsa/share-default.png" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link href="/themes/custom/fsa_2021/dist/img/favicon/apple-touch-icon.png" rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" /> <link href="/themes/custom/fsa_2021/dist/img/favicon/favicon-16x16.png" rel="icon" sizes="16x16" /> <link href="/themes/custom/fsa_2021/dist/img/favicon/favicon-32x32.png" rel="icon" sizes="32x32" /> <link href="/themes/custom/fsa_2021/manifest.json" rel="manifest" /> <link href="/themes/custom/fsa_2021/safari-pinned-tab.svg" rel="mask-icon" color="#007ac9" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff" /> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/fsa_2021/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="cy" href="https://www.food.gov.uk/cy/canllawiau-defnyddiwr/hylendid-bwyd-dros-y-nadolig" /> <script src="/sites/default/files/google_tag/primary/google_tag.script.js?snd2j9" defer></script> <title>Christmas food hygiene | Food Standards Agency</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_qGSTSCtcTbqIt3fQpiiC-yYMs7LKBpgR-m9st_uvjjI.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=fsa_2021&include=eJyFUltOxDAMvFDbAGdASJyicpPZ1mweJXbL9vakDyS2gPhyPHbsscc2pSvDpiiIagSqHHup7B1859WBY-VIydOCbDoMNHPKUl2E2j3TpFHTpC1F8ouyvYvtpj2qVZ7jlXV1dW1F1kKEO_asSyWLKILpSLCVeHp4ejS9Tx35Cjdd_xqXp5F8c7jVzA6pRejg2gvDO5MhY2nGM-otuJOZRFMwAxeTl7Yje_2Oj9SjHTMXgt9QAWU7lLJe8TXwHlmfhQFymfiE1zL359w6I6QZz9Po2ZLCvT7_SBlArmjxwrdz5APdJeVwhhUe45Ai6m3uHy0puhTqbUnnnwMCak197_c9C2ZEE6govbrbNi6AW9dk7rzqIGMO22zMzmBhFoq6jYMSe2mEZvybdPA5p9Eb3f78G8rxFHrlfjNMUW8TpHl7n5CX36nZFMYkrH_zKcfM5X4-AZBQO3U" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_nUmXRsaliExIdVOe8EtTUPnaxmbs7bNtE9Re8vf77tI.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=fsa_2021&include=eJyFUltOxDAMvFDbAGdASJyicpPZ1mweJXbL9vakDyS2gPhyPHbsscc2pSvDpiiIagSqHHup7B1859WBY-VIydOCbDoMNHPKUl2E2j3TpFHTpC1F8ouyvYvtpj2qVZ7jlXV1dW1F1kKEO_asSyWLKILpSLCVeHp4ejS9Tx35Cjdd_xqXp5F8c7jVzA6pRejg2gvDO5MhY2nGM-otuJOZRFMwAxeTl7Yje_2Oj9SjHTMXgt9QAWU7lLJe8TXwHlmfhQFymfiE1zL359w6I6QZz9Po2ZLCvT7_SBlArmjxwrdz5APdJeVwhhUe45Ai6m3uHy0puhTqbUnnnwMCak197_c9C2ZEE6govbrbNi6AW9dk7rzqIGMO22zMzmBhFoq6jYMSe2mEZvybdPA5p9Eb3f78G8rxFHrlfjNMUW8TpHl7n5CX36nZFMYkrH_zKcfM5X4-AZBQO3U" /> <script src="/themes/custom/fsa_2021/dist/app.js?v=0.1.x"></script> <script src="/themes/custom/fsa_2021/fsa-search-app/bundle.js?v=0.1.x"></script> <script src="/themes/custom/fsa_2021/fsa-frontend/main.js?v=0.1.x"></script> </head> <body class="new-theme"> <div class="skip-to-main-content"> <a href="#main-content" class="skip-to-main-content__link">Skip to main content</a> </div> <section class="cc_placeholder" aria-label="Banner for Cookie acceptance"></section> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-TH697XV&gtm_auth=qiSnyllzn5flpcJTEzjYGA&gtm_preview=env-2&gtm_cookies_win=x" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div class="language-switcher language-switcher--hidden"> <a href="/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene?navref=quicklink" class="language-link is-active" hreflang="en" data-drupal-link-query="{"navref":"quicklink"}" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/288">English</a> <a href="/cy/canllawiau-defnyddiwr/hylendid-bwyd-dros-y-nadolig?navref=quicklink" class="language-link" hreflang="cy" data-drupal-link-query="{"navref":"quicklink"}" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/288">Cymraeg</a> </div> <header class="header header--main"> <div class="header__grid-container"> <div class="header__grid-row"> <div class="header__wrapper"> <div class="header__top"> <nav class="header__languages header__languages--desktop header__nav" aria-label="Language switcher" aria-hidden="false"> <ul class="header__languages-list"> <li class="header__language"> <a href="/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene" class="header__language-link header__language-link--selected">English</a> </li> <li class="header__language"> <a href=/cy/canllawiau-defnyddiwr/hylendid-bwyd-dros-y-nadolig lang="cy" class="header__language-link header__language-link--"> Cymraeg </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="header__bottom"> <div class="header__logo-container"> <div class="header__logo-wrapper header__primary-logo-wrapper"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/" class="header__logo"> <span class="header__logo-label visually-hidden">Food Standards Agency - Frontpage</span> <div class="header__logo-svg header__logo-svg--english" aria-hidden="true"></div> </a> </div> </div> <nav class="header__links header__links--desktop header__links--english" aria-label="Secondary Menu"> <div class="header__links-wrapper"> <div class="header__links-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/consumers/find-details" class="header__links-anchor header__links-anchor--contact">Contact</a> </div> <div class="header__links-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/consumers/report-a-food-problem" class="header__links-anchor header__links-anchor--report">Report</a> </div> </div> <div class="header__links-item header__links-item--right"> <a href="https://ratings.food.gov.uk/" class="header__links-anchor header__links-anchor--ratings" target="_blank">Food hygiene ratings</a> </div> </nav> <div class="header__search-bar-wrapper"> <div class="header__search-bar header__search-bar--full"> <form class="search-bar" action="/search" autocomplete="off"> <label class="search-bar__label" for="search">Search Food Standards Agency</label> <input class="search-bar__box" value="" name="keywords" type="search" id="search" data-fsa-at="search-input"> <button class="search-bar__submit" aria-label="search" data-fsa-at="search-submit"> <span class="search-bar__span visually-hidden">Search Food Standards Agency</span> </button> </form> </div> <a class="header__search-bar header__search-bar--icon" href="/search"> <span class="visually-hidden header__search-bar-label">Search Food Standards Agency</span> <div aria-hidden="true" class="header__search-svg"></div> </a> </div> <button class="header__menu " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="navigation"> <span class="visually-hidden">menu</span> <svg class="header__menu-symbol header__menu-toggle" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.0" width="47" height="47" viewBox="0 0 258 186" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet"> <g class="svg-menu-toggle" transform="translate(0,186) scale(0.1,-0.1)" fill="#007c75" stroke="none"> <path class="line line-1" d="M837 1572 c-35 -36 -34 -71 1 -105 l28 -27 505 0 505 0 27 28 c34 36 34 68 0 104 l-27 28 -506 0 -506 0 -27 -28z"/> <path class="line line-2" d="M477 972 c-35 -36 -34 -71 1 -105 l28 -27 684 0 684 0 28 27 c36 35 36 71 0 106 l-28 27 -685 0 -685 0 -27 -28z"/> <path class="line line-3" d="M837 372 c-35 -36 -34 -71 1 -105 l28 -27 505 0 505 0 27 28 c34 36 34 68 0 104 l-27 28 -506 0 -506 0 -27 -28z"/> </g> </svg> </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header__navigation"> <nav class="header__links header__links--mobile header__links--english" aria-label="Secondary Menu"> <div class="header__links-wrapper"> <div class="header__links-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/consumers/find-details" class="header__links-anchor header__links-anchor--contact">Contact</a> </div> <div class="header__links-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/consumers/report-a-food-problem" class="header__links-anchor header__links-anchor--report">Report</a> </div> </div> <div class="header__links-item header__links-item--right"> <a href="https://ratings.food.gov.uk/" class="header__links-anchor header__links-anchor--ratings" target="_blank">Food hygiene ratings</a> </div> </nav> <div class="header__navigation"> <nav id="navigation" class="navigation" aria-label="Main navigation"> <div class="navigation__background-blur"></div> <div class="navigation__container"> <div class="navigation__row"> <div class="navigation__wrapper"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-1"> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--home"> <a href="/" aria-label="Home"> <span>Home</span> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="36" height="38" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="-1.5 -1.5 40 40"> <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M36 19.013c0 9.941-8.059 18-18 18s-18-8.059-18-18 8.059-18 18-18 18 8.059 18 18" fill="#FFF" stroke="#ffffff" stroke-width="3"></path> <path d="m18 8.013-9 6.585v11.415h6.075v-4.61c0-1.58 1.304-2.853 2.925-2.853 1.62 0 2.925 1.272 2.925 2.853v4.61H27V14.598l-9-6.585z" fill="#2A0247" fill-rule="nonzero"></path> </g> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <button aria-expanded="false" id="nav-news-and-alerts" title="News and alerts"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> News and alerts </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__submenu" role="region" aria-labelledby="news-and-alerts"> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">News and alerts</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--0-0-news-and-alerts" title="News and alerts"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> News and alerts </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--0-0-news-and-alerts"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/search?keywords=&filter_type%5BNews%5D=News">News</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/search?keywords=&filter_type%5BFood%20alert%5D=Food%20alert">Food alerts</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/search?keywords=&filter_type%5BAllergy%20alert%5D=Allergy%20alert">Allergy alerts</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/subscribe">Sign up to news and alerts</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in News and alerts </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <button aria-expanded="false" id="nav-consumer-advice" title="Consumer advice"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Consumer advice </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__submenu" role="region" aria-labelledby="consumer-advice"> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Food hygiene</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--1-0-food-hygiene" title="Food hygiene"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Food hygiene </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--1-0-food-hygiene"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene">Christmas food hygiene</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/home-food-fact-checker">Home food fact checker</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/how-to-chill-freeze-and-defrost-food-safely">Chilling</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/cooking-your-food">Cooking</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/why-is-cleaning-important">Cleaning</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/why-avoiding-cross-contamination-is-important">Cross-contamination</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/food-hygiene-rating-scheme">Food hygiene ratings explained </a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/consumer-advice/food-hygiene"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Food hygiene </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Food safety</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--1-1-food-safety" title="Food safety"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Food safety </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--1-1-food-safety"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/best-before-and-use-by-dates">Use-by and best before dates</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/food-allergy-and-intolerance">Allergy and intolerance</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/food-additives">Additives</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/food-safety-0"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Food safety </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Food poisoning</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--1-2-food-poisoning" title="Food poisoning"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Food poisoning </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--1-2-food-poisoning"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/salmonella">Salmonella</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/e-coli">E. coli</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/listeria">Listeria</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/consumers/report-problem/report-a-food-safety-or-hygiene-issue">Report food poisoning</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/consumer-advice/food-poisoning"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Food poisoning </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Nutrition in Northern Ireland</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--1-3-nutrition-in-northern-ireland" title="Nutrition in Northern Ireland"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Nutrition in Northern Ireland </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--1-3-nutrition-in-northern-ireland"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/the-eatwell-guide-and-resources">Eatwell Guide</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/check-the-label">Check the label</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/nutrients-what-you-need-to-know">Nutrients</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/food-poverty">Food poverty</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/healthy-recipes">Healthy Recipes</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/consumer-advice/nutrition-in-northern-ireland-for-consumers"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Nutrition in Northern Ireland </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <button aria-expanded="false" id="nav-business-guidance" title="Business guidance"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Business guidance </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__submenu" role="region" aria-labelledby="business-guidance"> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Popular content</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--2-0-popular-content" title="Popular content"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Popular content </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--2-0-popular-content"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/safer-food-better-business-sfbb">Safer food better business (SFBB)</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-guidance-for-food-businesses">Allergen guidance</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/online-food-safety-training">Online training</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/getting-ready-to-start-your-food-business">Starting a food business</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/here-to-help">Running a food business</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/how-food-hygiene-ratings-work">Food hygiene ratings</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Business guidance</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--2-1-business-guidance" title="Business guidance"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Business guidance </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--2-1-business-guidance"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/business-guidance/packaging-and-labelling">Packaging and labelling</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/food-hygiene">Food hygiene</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/business-guidance/food-safety-management-for-businesses">Food safety management</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/cannabidiol-cbd">CBD guidance</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/operational-safety">Operational safety</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/chemical-safety">Chemical safety</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/here-to-help"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Business guidance </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Industry guidance</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--2-2-industry-guidance" title="Industry guidance"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Industry guidance </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--2-2-industry-guidance"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/animal-feed-0">Animal feed</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/dairy-and-farming">Dairy and farming</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/industry-guidance/fish-and-shellfish">Fish and shellfish</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/imports-exports">Imports and exports</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/meat-premises-and-slaughter">Meat and slaughter</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/industry-guidance/regulated-products">Regulated products</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/industry-guidance/wine">Wine</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Nutrition in Northern Ireland</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--2-3-nutrition-in-northern-ireland" title="Nutrition in Northern Ireland"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Nutrition in Northern Ireland </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--2-3-nutrition-in-northern-ireland"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/calorie-wise">Calorie Wise</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/healthier-catering-guidance-for-different-types-of-businesses">Healthier catering guides</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/healthier-food-reformulation">Healthier food reformulation </a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/menucal-calorie-and-allergen-tool">MenuCal</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/nutrition-labelling">Nutrition labelling</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/nutrition-research">Nutrition research</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/nutrition-in-northern-ireland-for-businesses"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Nutrition in Northern Ireland </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Business services</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--2-4-business-services" title="Business services"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Business services </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--2-4-business-services"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://fsa-services-eng-forms.food.gov.uk/regulated-products-application">Apply for a regulated product authorisation</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/how-to-apply-for-approval-of-a-meat-or-food-establishment">Apply for approval of a meat or food establishment</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://fsa-services-eng-forms.food.gov.uk/Wine-Registration-Service">Register a vineyard or winery</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/businesses/services"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Business services </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <button aria-expanded="false" id="nav-our-work" title="Our work"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Our work </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__submenu" role="region" aria-labelledby="our-work"> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Science and evidence</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--3-0-science-and-evidence" title="Science and evidence"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Science and evidence </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--3-0-science-and-evidence"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/areas-of-research-interest">Areas of research interest</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/our-work/science-and-evidence/research-reports">Research reports</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/scientific-advisory-committees">Science Committees</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/applying-for-research-funding">Apply for research funding</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/our-work/science-and-evidence"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Science and evidence </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Risk analysis</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--3-1-risk-analysis" title="Risk analysis"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Risk analysis </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--3-1-risk-analysis"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/how-risk-analysis-keeps-food-and-feed-safe">Our risk analysis</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/risk-analysis/register-of-risk-analysis-issues">Register of risk analysis issues</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/our-work/risk-analysis"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Risk analysis </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">National Food Crime Unit</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--3-2-national-food-crime-unit" title="National Food Crime Unit"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> National Food Crime Unit </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--3-2-national-food-crime-unit"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/national-food-crime-unit">About the Food Crime Unit</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/food-crime">Food crime</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/consumers/report-problem/report-a-product-labelling-issue/report-a-food-crime">Report a food crime</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/our-work/nfcu"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in National Food Crime Unit </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Consultations</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--3-3-consultations" title="Consultations"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Consultations </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--3-3-consultations"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/search/consultations">All consultations</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/search/consultations?consultation_status%5BOpen%5D=Open">Open consultations</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/search/consultations?consultation_type%5BRegulated%20products%20consultation%5D=Regulated%20products%20consultation">Regulated products consultations</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/search?keywords=&filter_type%5BConsultation%5D=Consultation&consultation_type%5BCall%20for%20evidence%5D=Call%20for%20evidence">Calls for evidence</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <button aria-expanded="false" id="nav-about-us" title="About us"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> About us </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__submenu" role="region" aria-labelledby="about-us"> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Our organisation</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--4-0-our-organisation" title="Our organisation"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Our organisation </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--4-0-our-organisation"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/fsa-board-meetings">Board meetings</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/leadership-team">Leadership team</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/our-strategy">Our strategy</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/nifac-northern-ireland-food-advisory-committee">Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/wfac-welsh-food-advisory-committee">Welsh Food Advisory Committee</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/our-organisation"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in Our organisation </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">How we work</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--4-1-how-we-work" title="How we work"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> How we work </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--4-1-how-we-work"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/annual-reports-and-accounts-including-our-food">Annual reports and accounts, including Our Food</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/who-we-are">Who we are</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/four-country-working">Four-country working</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information">Freedom of information</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/regulatory-approach">Regulatory approach</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/local-authorities/local-authorities">Working with local authorities</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/contracts-and-tenders">Contracts and tenders</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link navigation__link--read-more"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/how-we-work"> <span class="navigation__link__read-more-arrow"></span>More in How we work </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Contact us</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--4-2-contact-us" title="Contact us"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Contact us </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--4-2-contact-us"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/businesses/services">Find business services</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/consumers/report-a-food-problem">Report a food problem</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/consumers/find-details">Find contact details</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="navigation__group"> <p class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--desktop">Working for us</p> <button class="navigation__group-title navigation__group-title--mobile" aria-expanded="false" id="submenu--4-3-working-for-us" title="Working for us"> <span class="navigation__link__label"> Working for us </span> <span class="navigation__link__arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="18" height="11" viewBox="0 0 18 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m1 1 8 8 8-8" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </span> </button> <div class="navigation__menu-wrapper" aria-labelledby="submenu--4-3-working-for-us"> <ul class="navigation__menu navigation__menu--level-2"> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/working-for-us">Current vacancies</a> </li> <li class="navigation__link"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity">Equality and diversity</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> <nav class="header__languages header__languages--mobile" aria-label="Language switcher" aria-hidden="true"> <ul class="header__languages-list"> <li class="header__language"> <a href="/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene" class="header__language-link header__language-link--selected">English</a> </li> <li class="header__language"> <a href=/cy/canllawiau-defnyddiwr/hylendid-bwyd-dros-y-nadolig class="header__language-link header__language-link--"> Cymraeg </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </header> <main id="main-content"> <div class="content-layout"> <div class="content-layout__full-width"> </div> <div class="content-layout__container"> <div class="content-layout__row"> <div class="content-layout__header"> <span id="return-to-top"></span> <div class="breadcrumb collapsed full"> <div class="breadcrumb__left"> <p class="breadcrumb__label visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</p> <div class="breadcrumb__items"> <div class="breadcrumb__item"> <span lang="">Home</span> </div> </div> <a href="#" class="breadcrumb__mobile-overlay" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand breadcrumb navigation</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-layout__page"> <div class="content-layout__top"> <div class="article-hero"> <h1 class="article-hero__title" lang="en">Christmas food hygiene </h1> <div class="article-hero__description"> <p lang="en">Christmas food hygiene tips and how to cook your turkey safely.</p> </div> </div> <div class="article-hero__toolbar"> <div class="article-hero__toolbar__last-updated-container"> <div class="article-hero__toolbar__last-updated"> Last updated: 13 September 2024 </div> <a class="article-hero__toolbar__revision-log" href="#revision-log">See all updates</a> </div> <div class="article-hero__toolbar__buttons"> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons"> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__button pdf-and-print-buttons__button--pdf"> <a href="/print/pdf/node/288" target=”_blank”> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__text-wrapper"> View<span class="visually-hidden"> </span> as PDF<span class="visually-hidden">(Opens in a new window)</span> </div> </a> </div> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__button pdf-and-print-buttons__button--print"> <button> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__text-wrapper"> Print this page </div> </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-layout__left"> <div class="sticky-sidebar__wrapper"> <div class="sticky-sidebar"> <div class="sticky-sidebar__content-item"> <nav class="table-of-contents" aria-label="on-this-page"> <div class="table-of-contents__title"> <h2 class="table-of-contents__title--heading">ON THIS PAGE</h2> <button class="table-of-contents__title--button" aria-expanded="false"> ON THIS PAGE <span class="table-of-contents__arrow"></span> </button> <a href="#" class="table-of-contents__skip"> On this page </a> </div> <ol class="table-of-contents__list"> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#christmas-food-shopping" class="table-of-contents__link">Christmas food shopping</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#how-to-defrost-your-turkey" class="table-of-contents__link">How to defrost your turkey</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#how-to-cook-your-turkey" class="table-of-contents__link">How to cook your turkey</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#check-your-turkey-is-fully-cooked" class="table-of-contents__link">Check your turkey is fully cooked</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#freezing-and-reusing-your-leftovers" class="table-of-contents__link">Freezing and reusing your leftovers</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-layout__top-desktop"> <div class="article-hero__toolbar"> <div class="article-hero__toolbar__last-updated-container"> <div class="article-hero__toolbar__last-updated"> Last updated: 13 September 2024 </div> <a class="article-hero__toolbar__revision-log" href="#revision-log">See all updates</a> </div> <div class="article-hero__toolbar__buttons"> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons"> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__button pdf-and-print-buttons__button--pdf"> <a href="/print/pdf/node/288" target=”_blank”> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__text-wrapper"> View<span class="visually-hidden"> </span> as PDF<span class="visually-hidden">(Opens in a new window)</span> </div> </a> </div> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__button pdf-and-print-buttons__button--print"> <button> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__text-wrapper"> Print this page </div> </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-layout__right"> <a id="toc-skip-to" tabindex="-1"></a> <div class="content-layout__right-content"> <div class="text-block" lang=en> <p>Avoid the unwanted gift of food poisoning this Christmas.</p> <p>There are an estimated 2.4 million cases of <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-poisoning/">food poisoning</a> in the UK each year. Whether cooking at home, or reusing leftovers, it’s important to maintain good food hygiene at Christmas by following the 4Cs: </p> <ul> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="50ddd807-ec2f-4fda-8b50-db12cc6503be" href="/safety-hygiene/why-is-cleaning-important" title="Why is cleaning important">cleaning</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ce314da5-0953-4298-a857-e8e47ba57621" href="/safety-hygiene/how-to-chill-freeze-and-defrost-food-safely" title="How to chill, freeze and defrost food safely">chilling</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="571a2bdd-7a0a-47de-8e6b-6dc50a1f86c5" href="/safety-hygiene/cooking-your-food" title="Cooking your food">cooking</a></li> <li>and avoiding <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c87a420c-5c55-40ff-9471-a7dfccc8a663" href="/safety-hygiene/why-avoiding-cross-contamination-is-important" title="Why avoiding cross-contamination is important">cross-contamination</a>.</li> </ul> <p>Christmas is a significant period of food waste. <a href="https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com">Love Food Hate Waste</a> estimates over 100,000 tonnes of edible poultry, 96,000 tonnes of carrots and 710,000 tonnes of potatoes are thrown away each year in the UK. 18 million tonnes of CO2 are generated by UK homes from wasted consumable food and drink.</p> <p>Thinking about hygiene when storing, cooking, reusing and freezing food will help keep your Christmas safe and minimise food waste over the festive period.</p> <h2 id="christmas-food-shopping">Christmas food shopping</h2> <p>From shopping bags to fridge space, there are many ways to prepare for Christmas with food safety in mind.</p> <p><strong>Check your fridge is set at 5°C or below.</strong> Test this with a fridge thermometer. If your food is stored at the correct temperature, it will be safe to eat right up to and including the use-by date. For the use-by date to be a valid guide, you must carefully follow storage instructions. </p> <p>Plan fridge and freezer space to allow for extra room if you need it. Check if items need to be refrigerated. </p> <p>Take enough bags for your Christmas food shop<strong>.</strong> This means that you can keep raw and ready-to-eat food apart. </p> <p>When shopping, consider using cool bags to keep chilled food at the right temperature. </p> <p>Store raw meat, fish, and shellfish separately from ready-to-eat food and vegetables. </p> <p>Ideally, <strong>keep raw meat and fish covered on the bottom shelf</strong> of your fridge to avoid cross-contamination or spillages. </p> <p>Check for <a data-doctype data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a38b2b90-1143-45c1-9bdf-36d7da7e2d16" href="/safety-hygiene/best-before-and-use-by-dates" title="Best before and use-by dates">best before and use-by dates</a> to effectively plan your meals, get food to last longer and make sure you’re not throwing away food unnecessarily. </p> <p>If your fridge is looking full, <strong>take out items that don’t need to be chilled</strong>, such as unopened soft drinks or bread. This will make room for items that do need to be chilled for safety reasons, such as raw, ready-to-eat and cooked food. </p> <h2 id="how-to-defrost-your-turkey">How to defrost your turkey</h2> <p>If your turkey is frozen, check the guidance on the packaging in advance for how long it will take to defrost. Some turkeys can be cooked from frozen if the manufacturer’s instructions say so. However, most frozen turkeys will need to be defrosted.</p> <p>Plan this in advance, as a whole turkey can take between 3 to 5 days to properly defrost (thawed all the way to the middle). <strong>If you are cooking a turkey crown, follow the defrosting instructions on the packaging</strong>. If there are no instructions, you can follow the guidance below. </p> <p>Do not defrost your turkey at room temperature, instead, you should defrost your turkey in the fridge (on the bottom shelf). Ideally, defrost your turkey in a container big enough to catch any drips to avoid cross-contamination. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling any part of the raw turkey. </p> <p><strong>A typical large turkey weighing 6-7kg could take as much as 4 days to fully defrost in the fridge.</strong> If there are no instructions for defrosting your turkey, you can work out yourself how long it will take to thaw completely. In a fridge, allow around 10-12 hours per kg. </p> <p>If your turkey is not fully defrosted before cooking, it may cook unevenly. This means harmful bacteria can survive the cooking process and you and your guests will be at risk of food poisoning. </p> <p> </p> <div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" title="Embedded video: Defrost your turkey safely" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v-wLzLCRDrM?autoplay=0&start=0&rel=0"></iframe> </div> <h2 id="how-to-cook-your-turkey">How to cook your turkey</h2> <p><strong>Do not wash raw turkey before cooking</strong>. Washing raw meat spreads germs onto your hands, clothes, utensils, and worktops. </p> <p>When cooking your turkey, always check the advice on the packaging and follow the instructions provided. The cooking guidelines will be based on a bird that is not stuffed.  </p> <p>After touching raw meat, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap. </p> <p><strong>Cook the stuffing in a separate roasting tin</strong>, not inside the turkey. A stuffed turkey will take longer to cook and may not cook thoroughly if it has not reached the correct temperature throughout. </p> <p>Clean all work surfaces, chopping board or utensils any raw poultry has been in contact with. </p> <p>To work out the cooking time for your turkey, check the retailer’s instructions on the packaging. If there are no cooking instructions, in an oven preheated to 180ºC (160ºC fan, 350ºF or Gas Mark 4):</p> <ul> <li>allow 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes for a turkey that weighs under 4.5kg</li> <li>allow 40 minutes per kg for a turkey that weighs between 4.5kg and 6.5kg</li> <li>allow 35 minutes per kg for a turkey that weighs over 6.5kg</li> </ul> <p> </p> <div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" title="Embedded video: Cook your turkey thoroughly" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9yL2HGkaNDQ?autoplay=0&start=0&rel=0"></iframe> </div> <p>Other birds need different cooking times and temperatures:</p> <ul> <li>goose should be cooked in a preheated oven at 200ºC (180 ºC fan, 400ºF or Gas Mark 6) for 35 minutes per kg</li> <li>duck should be cooked in a preheated oven at 200ºC (180 ºC fan, 400ºF or Gas Mark 6) for 45 minutes per kg</li> <li>chicken should be cooked in a preheated oven at 180ºC (160ºC fan, 350ºF or Gas Mark 4) for 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes</li> </ul> <p>Please see <a data-doctype data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="571a2bdd-7a0a-47de-8e6b-6dc50a1f86c5" href="/safety-hygiene/cooking-your-food" title="Cooking your food">our 'Cooking your food' page</a> for further information on cooking meats and other food safely.</p> <h2 id="check-your-turkey-is-fully-cooked">Check your turkey is fully cooked</h2> <p>Make sure your turkey, or any other bird you're preparing for Christmas, is steaming hot and cooked all the way through.</p> <p>If you do not have a meat thermometer or temperature probe, cut into the thickest part of the meat, <strong>check that none of the meat is pink and that any juices run clear</strong>. In a whole bird, the thickest part of the meat is the area between the leg and the breast.</p> <p>If you do have a temperature probe, check the thickest part of the meat; it needs to reach one of the following combinations to make sure it has been cooked properly:</p> <ul> <li>60°C for 45 minutes</li> <li>65°C for 10 minutes</li> <li>70°C for 2 minutes</li> <li>75°C for 30 seconds</li> <li>80°C for 6 seconds</li> </ul> <p>Remember to fully clean the temperature probe or cooking thermometer after each use to avoid cross-contamination.</p> <h2 id="freezing-and-reusing-your-leftovers">Freezing and reusing your leftovers</h2> <p>There are many different ways you can reuse and reinvent your Christmas leftovers and make your food go further.</p> <p>Freeze any leftovers for future dishes. Freezing acts as a pause button. It is safe to freeze food right up to and including the use-by date. </p> <p><strong>You can freeze most food.</strong> This includes raw and cooked meats, fruit, potatoes (after boiling for five minutes), grated cheese, and eggs. <a data-doctype href="https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/foods-and-recipes?f%5B0%5D=type%3Afood">Love Food Hate Waste has an  A-Z on food storage</a> including how to freeze many different types of food, as well as recipes.</p> <p>You can freeze cooked turkey, other cooked meat and meals made from previously cooked and frozen meat. It will be safe to eat for a long time, but you may see a deterioration in quality after 3-6 months. This is called freezer burn.</p> <section class="explanation-block"> <div class="explanation-block__header explanation-block__header--fsa-explains"> <div class="explanation-block__heading" role="heading" aria-level="3">FSA Explains</div> </div> <div class="explanation-block__content"> <fsa-component component-name="explanation_fsa_explains"> <p>Freezer burn is when foods in the freezer are exposed to cold, dry air, which causes them to dehydrate and form ice crystals over time. This process affects the quality of the foods, rather than the safety.</p> <p>Freezer burn can be avoided by carefully packaging foods in the freezer and checking foods aren’t kept for too long.</p> <p>Meats are usually best eaten within 2-3 months. Baked goods, fruit and veg are best between 3-4 months. </p> </fsa-component> <div class="explanation-block__link"> </div> </div> </section> <p>Cool cooked food quickly at room temperature and refrigerate or freeze within one to two hours. </p> <p><strong>Splitting leftovers into smaller portions will help cool food quicker</strong>. It may also be more convenient to freeze and defrost portioned meals later. </p> <p>Label and date anything you are freezing so you can easily see what it is; you don’t want a UFO (Unidentified Frozen Object)! </p> <p>Defrost food slowly and safely in the fridge or thoroughly in a microwave on the defrost setting. Don’t defrost at room temperature. </p> <p>Make sure food has been fully defrosted, as partially defrosted food may not cook evenly. This means that harmful bacteria could survive the cooking process. </p> <p>Once the food is defrosted <strong>eat within 24 hours and do not refreeze.</strong> </p> <p>Make sure you reheat any defrosted food until steaming hot. </p> </div> <div class="revision-log revision-log--closed" id="revision-log" role="complementary"> <div class="revision-log__control"> <h3 class="revision-log__heading"> Revision log </h3> <div class="revision-log__toggle"> <button class="revision-log__toggle-button revision-log__toggle-button-hide" aria-hidden="false">Hide all updates</button> <button class="revision-log__toggle-button revision-log__toggle-button-show" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Show all updates</button> </div> </div> <div class="revision-log__dates"> <p>Published: 11 January 2018</p> <p>Last updated: 13 September 2024</p> </div> <ul class="revision-log__link-list" aria-hidden="true"> <li class="revision-log__link-list__item" id="246056"> <strong class="revision-log__link-list__item-date">20 November 2023</strong> <span class="revision-log__link-list__item-text">More format tweaking</span> </li> <li class="revision-log__link-list__item" id="246051"> <strong class="revision-log__link-list__item-date">20 November 2023</strong> <span class="revision-log__link-list__item-text">Tweaking formatting</span> </li> <li class="revision-log__link-list__item" id="246046"> <strong class="revision-log__link-list__item-date">20 November 2023</strong> <span class="revision-log__link-list__item-text">2023 updates, including removing box-outs on defrosted tur</span> </li> <li class="revision-log__link-list__item" id="99761"> <strong class="revision-log__link-list__item-date">25 November 2021</strong> <span class="revision-log__link-list__item-text">Minor updates from Abrar Jaffer, and I can send on email with proposed changes if needed. </span> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="back-to-top"> <a href="#return-to-top" class="back-to-top__link" data-fsa-at="back-to-top">Back to top</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-layout__footer"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content"> <div class="related-content__grid-container"> <div class="related-content__grid-row"> <h2 class="related-content__main-heading">Related Content</h2> </div> </div> <div class="related-content__grid-container"> <div class="related-content__grid-row related-content__grid-row--centered"> <div class="related-content__card-wrapper"> <a class="related-content__card" href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/cooking-your-food" data-fsa-at="related-content-0"> <h3 class="related-content__sub-heading"> Cooking your food </h3> <p class="related-content__description">How to cook meat safely and how to prevent contamination of meat.</p> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <section class="feedback" aria-label="Feedback about the content on the page" aria-live="polite"> <div class="feedback__grid-container"> <div class="feedback__grid-row"> <div class="feedback__grid-wrapper"> <div class="feedback__texts"> <div class="feedback__questions"> <div class="feedback__wrapper"> <h2 class="feedback__heading">Is this page useful?</h2> <p class="feedback__options"> <a class="feedback__yes" role="button" href="/webform/page-feedback">Yes<span class="visually-hidden">this page is useful</span></a> <a class="feedback__no" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="feedback__form" role="button" href="/webform/page-feedback">No<span class="visually-hidden">this page is not useful</span></a> </p> </div> <button class="feedback__report-button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="feedback__form"> Is there anything wrong with this page? </button> </div> <span class="feedback__thank" role="status">Thanks for your feedback</span> </div> <div class="feedback__form-wrapper"> <span id="webform-submission-page-feedback-node-288-form-ajax-content"></span><div id="webform-submission-page-feedback-node-288-form-ajax" class="webform-ajax-form-wrapper" data-effect="fade" data-progress-type="throbber"><form class="webform-submission-form webform-submission-add-form webform-submission-page-feedback-form webform-submission-page-feedback-add-form webform-submission-page-feedback-node-288-form webform-submission-page-feedback-node-288-add-form js-webform-details-toggle webform-details-toggle feedback__form" data-drupal-selector="webform-submission-page-feedback-node-288-add-form" novalidate="novalidate" action="/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene" method="post" id="webform-submission-page-feedback-node-288-add-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <input class="hidden page_url" data-drupal-selector="edit-page-url" type="hidden" name="page_url" value="https://www.food.gov.uk/node/288" /> <fieldset class="radios is_useful radios--wrapper fieldgroup form-composite webform-composite-visible-title js-webform-type-radios webform-type-radios js-form-item form-item js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" data-drupal-selector="edit-is-useful" id="edit-is-useful"> <div class="fieldset-wrapper"> <fieldset class="radio " aria-describedby="descr-is_useful"> <div class=""> <legend class="radio__legend"> Is this page useful? <span class="radio__required"></span> </legend> </div> <div class="radio__fields"> <div class="radio__field"> <input class="radio__input" type="radio" name="is_useful" value="Yes" id="edit-is-useful-yes" > <label class="radio__label" for="edit-is-useful-yes">Yes</label> </div> <div class="radio__field"> <input class="radio__input" type="radio" name="is_useful" value="No" id="edit-is-useful-no" > <label class="radio__label" for="edit-is-useful-no">No</label> </div> </div> </fieldset> </div> </fieldset> <fieldset class="fieldset feedback_wrapper js-webform-type-fieldset webform-type-fieldset js-form-item form-item js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" data-drupal-selector="edit-feedback-wrapper" id="edit-feedback-wrapper"> <div class="fieldset-wrapper"> <div class="textarea"> <div class=""> <label class="textarea__label" for="edit-feedback"> <span class="textarea__label-content">Please give us your feedback on this page.</span> <span class="textarea__required"></span> </label> </div> <p class="textarea__description" id="label-feedback"></p> <textarea class="textarea__field textarea__field--with-desc" name="feedback" id="edit-feedback" rows="5 " aria-describedby='label-feedback' ></textarea> </div> </div> </fieldset> <div class="webform_actions actions form-actions webform-actions js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" data-drupal-selector="edit-actions" id="edit-actions"> <div class="multistep-function"> <div class="multistep-function__container"> <input class="webform-button--submit button button--primary js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-actions-submit" data-disable-refocus="true" type="submit" id="edit-actions-submit" name="op" value="Submit" /> </div> </div> </div> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-63o0scjeqcyskckq5tqe-rlz6quzeulq9zya1va6sok" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-63o0ScjeQCySkCKQ5TqE_rlz6qUzEulQ9ZyA1va6SOk" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-webform-submission-page-feedback-node-288-add-form" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="webform_submission_page_feedback_node_288_add_form" /> <div class="fax-textfield js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" style="display: none !important;"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-item-fax js-form-item-fax"> <label for="edit-fax">Leave this field blank</label> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="edit-fax" type="text" id="edit-fax" name="fax" value="" size="20" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <footer class="footer"> <div class="footer__grid-container"> <div class="footer__grid-row"> <nav class="footer__nav"> <h2 class="visually-hidden">Footer links</h2> <ul class="footer__menu"> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/crown-copyright" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">Copyright </a> </li> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/accessibility" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">Accessibility </a> </li> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">Freedom of information </a> </li> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/terms-and-conditions" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">Terms and conditions </a> </li> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/privacy-policy" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">Privacy </a> </li> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/personal-information-charter" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">Personal information charter </a> </li> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/consumers/feedback" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">Feedback and complaints </a> </li> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/cookie-policy" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">Cookies </a> </li> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/our-data" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">Data </a> </li> <li class="footer__menu-item"> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/" class="footer__menu-link " target="_self">GOV.UK </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="footer__social"> <p class="visually-hidden">Food Standards Agency on social media</p> <ul class="footer__social-list"> <li class="footer__social-item"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FoodStandardsAgency" class="footer__social-link" title="Facebook" target="_blank"> <span class="visually-hidden">Facebook (Open in a new window)</span> <span class="footer__social-svg"> <svg aria-hidden="true" width="44px" height="44px" viewBox="0 0 44 44" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g transform="translate(-1254.000000, -44.000000)" fill="#FFFFFF"> <g id="fsa-facebook" transform="translate(1254.000000, 44.000000)"> <path d="M0,22 C0,9.9 9.9,0 22,0 C34.1,0 44,9.9 44,22 C44,34.1 34.1,44 22,44 C9.9,44 0,34.1 0,22 Z M23.54,34.21 L23.54,22.22 L26.84,22.22 L27.28,18.04 L23.54,18.04 L23.54,15.95 C23.54,14.85 23.65,14.3 25.19,14.3 L27.28,14.3 L27.28,10.23 L23.98,10.23 C20.02,10.23 18.59,12.21 18.59,15.62 L18.59,18.15 L16.17,18.15 L16.17,22.33 L18.59,22.33 L18.59,34.32 C18.59,34.21 23.54,34.21 23.54,34.21 Z"></path> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="footer__social-item"> <a href="https://twitter.com/foodgov" class="footer__social-link" title="Twitter" target="_blank"> <span class="visually-hidden">Twitter (Open in a new window)</span> <span class="footer__social-svg"> <svg aria-hidden="true" width="44px" height="44px" viewBox="0 0 44 44" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g transform="translate(-1316.000000, -44.000000)" fill="#FFFFFF"> <g id="fsa-twitter" transform="translate(1316.000000, 44.000000)"> <path d="M0,22 C0,9.9 9.9,0 22,0 C34.1,0 44,9.9 44,22 C44,34.1 34.1,44 22,44 C9.9,44 0,34.1 0,22 Z M21.34,17.93 L21.34,18.7 L20.57,18.59 C17.82,18.26 15.29,17.05 13.2,14.96 L12.21,13.97 L11.99,14.74 C11.44,16.39 11.77,18.15 12.98,19.36 C13.64,20.02 13.42,20.13 12.43,19.69 C12.1,19.58 11.77,19.47 11.66,19.47 C11.55,19.58 11.88,21.01 12.21,21.56 C12.65,22.33 13.42,23.1 14.3,23.54 L15.07,23.87 L14.19,23.87 C13.31,23.87 13.31,23.87 13.42,24.2 C13.75,25.19 14.96,26.29 16.28,26.73 L17.27,27.06 L16.39,27.61 C15.18,28.38 13.75,28.71 12.32,28.71 C11.66,28.71 11.11,28.82 11.11,28.82 C11.11,28.93 12.98,29.81 14.08,30.14 C17.38,31.13 21.23,30.69 24.2,29.04 C26.29,27.83 28.38,25.41 29.37,22.99 C29.92,21.78 30.47,19.47 30.47,18.37 C30.47,17.71 30.47,17.6 31.35,16.72 C31.9,16.17 32.34,15.73 32.45,15.51 C32.56,15.18 32.56,15.18 31.79,15.51 C30.47,15.95 30.25,15.95 30.91,15.18 C31.35,14.63 32.01,13.75 32.01,13.53 C32.01,13.53 31.79,13.53 31.57,13.75 C31.24,13.86 30.69,14.19 30.25,14.3 L29.37,14.52 L28.6,13.97 C28.16,13.64 27.61,13.42 27.28,13.31 C26.51,13.09 25.3,13.09 24.64,13.42 C22.44,14.08 21.23,15.95 21.34,17.93 Z"></path> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="footer__social-item"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/food-standards-agency" class="footer__social-link" title="Linkedin" target="_blank"> <span class="visually-hidden">Linkedin (Open in a new window)</span> <span class="footer__social-svg"> <svg aria-hidden="true" width="44px" height="44px" viewBox="0 0 44 44" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g transform="translate(-1378.000000, -44.000000)" fill="#FFFFFF"> <g id="fsa-linkedin" transform="translate(1378.000000, 44.000000)"> <path d="M0,22 C0,9.9 9.9,0 22,0 C34.1,0 44,9.9 44,22 C44,34.1 34.1,44 22,44 C9.9,44 0,34.1 0,22 Z M15.51,18.26 L10.56,18.26 L10.56,33.22 L15.51,33.22 L15.51,18.26 L15.51,18.26 Z M15.84,13.64 C15.84,12.21 14.74,11 13.09,11 C11.33,11 10.23,12.1 10.23,13.64 C10.23,15.07 11.33,16.28 12.98,16.28 L12.98,16.28 C14.74,16.17 15.84,15.07 15.84,13.64 Z M33.55,24.64 C33.55,20.02 31.13,17.93 27.83,17.93 C25.19,17.93 23.98,19.36 23.32,20.35 L23.32,18.26 L18.37,18.26 C18.48,19.69 18.37,33.22 18.37,33.22 L23.32,33.22 L23.32,24.86 C23.32,24.42 23.32,23.98 23.43,23.65 C23.76,22.77 24.64,21.78 25.96,21.78 C27.72,21.78 28.49,23.1 28.49,25.19 L28.49,33.22 L33.44,33.22 C33.55,33.22 33.55,24.64 33.55,24.64 Z"></path> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="footer__social-item"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/FoodStandardsAgency" class="footer__social-link" title="Youtube" target="_blank"> <span class="visually-hidden">Youtube (Open in a new window)</span> <span class="footer__social-svg"> <svg aria-hidden="true" width="44px" height="44px" viewBox="0 0 44 44" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g transform="translate(-1440.000000, -44.000000)" fill="#FFFFFF"> <g id="fsa-youtube" transform="translate(1440.000000, 44.000000)"> <path d="M0,22 C0,9.9 9.9,0 22,0 C34.1,0 44,9.9 44,22 C44,34.1 34.1,44 22,44 C9.9,44 0,34.1 0,22 Z M33.55,17.6 C33.55,17.6 33.33,15.95 32.67,15.18 C31.79,14.19 30.8,14.19 30.36,14.19 C27.06,13.97 22.11,13.97 22.11,13.97 L22.11,13.97 C22.11,13.97 17.16,13.97 13.86,14.19 C13.42,14.3 12.43,14.3 11.55,15.18 C10.78,15.95 10.45,17.6 10.45,17.6 C10.45,17.6 10.23,19.58 10.23,21.45 L10.23,23.32 C10.23,25.3 10.45,27.17 10.45,27.17 C10.45,27.17 10.67,28.82 11.33,29.59 C12.21,30.58 13.42,30.47 13.97,30.58 C15.95,30.69 22,30.8 22,30.8 C22,30.8 26.95,30.8 30.25,30.58 C30.69,30.58 31.68,30.47 32.56,29.59 C33.22,28.82 33.44,27.17 33.44,27.17 C33.44,27.17 33.66,25.19 33.66,23.32 L33.66,21.45 C33.77,19.47 33.55,17.6 33.55,17.6 Z"></path> <polygon id="Path" points="19.8 25.85 19.8 19.14 26.18 22.55"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="footer__social-item"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/foodgov/" class="footer__social-link" title="Instagram" target="_blank"> <span class="visually-hidden">Instagram (Open in a new window)</span> <span class="footer__social-svg"> <svg aria-hidden="true" width="44px" height="44px" viewBox="0 0 44 44" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g transform="translate(-1502.000000, -44.000000)" fill="#FFFFFF"> <g id="fsa-instagram" transform="translate(1502.000000, 44.000000)"> <path d="M22,0 C9.9,0 0,9.9 0,22 C0,34.1 9.9,44 22,44 C34.1,44 44,34.1 44,22 C44,9.9 34.1,0 22,0 Z M31.9,26.07 C31.9,26.84 31.68,27.72 31.46,28.49 C30.91,29.81 29.92,30.91 28.6,31.35 C27.83,31.68 27.06,31.79 26.18,31.79 C25.08,31.79 24.75,31.79 22.11,31.79 C19.47,31.79 19.03,31.79 18.04,31.79 C17.27,31.79 16.39,31.57 15.62,31.35 C14.3,30.8 13.2,29.81 12.76,28.49 C12.43,27.72 12.32,26.95 12.32,26.07 C12.32,24.97 12.21,24.64 12.21,22 C12.21,19.36 12.21,18.92 12.32,17.93 C12.32,17.16 12.54,16.28 12.76,15.51 C13.31,14.19 14.3,13.09 15.62,12.65 C16.39,12.32 17.16,12.21 18.04,12.21 C19.14,12.21 19.47,12.1 22.11,12.1 C24.75,12.1 25.19,12.1 26.18,12.21 C26.95,12.21 27.83,12.43 28.6,12.65 C29.92,13.2 31.02,14.19 31.46,15.51 C31.79,16.28 31.9,17.05 31.9,17.93 C31.9,19.03 31.9,19.36 31.9,22 C31.9,24.64 31.9,25.08 31.9,26.07 Z M22,16.94 C19.14,16.94 16.94,19.25 16.94,22 C16.94,24.75 19.25,27.06 22,27.06 C24.75,27.06 27.06,24.75 27.06,22 C27.06,19.25 24.86,16.94 22,16.94 C22,16.94 22,16.94 22,16.94 Z M22,25.3 C20.13,25.3 18.7,23.87 18.7,22 C18.7,20.13 20.13,18.7 22,18.7 C23.87,18.7 25.3,20.13 25.3,22 C25.3,23.87 23.87,25.3 22,25.3 Z M28.49,16.72 C28.49,17.38 27.94,17.93 27.28,17.93 C26.62,17.93 26.07,17.38 26.07,16.72 C26.07,16.06 26.62,15.51 27.28,15.51 L27.28,15.51 C27.94,15.51 28.49,16.06 28.49,16.72 Z"></path> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </span> </a> </li> <li class="footer__social-item"> <a href="https://food.blog.gov.uk/" class="footer__social-link" title="FSA Blog" target="_blank"> <span class="visually-hidden">FSA Blog (Open in a new window)</span> <span class="footer__social-svg"> <svg aria-hidden="true" width="44px" height="44px" viewBox="0 0 44 44" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <defs> <polygon id="path-1" points="0 0 44 0 44 44.0000862 0 44.0000862"></polygon> </defs> <g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g transform="translate(-1564.000000, -44.000000)"> <g id="Group-12" transform="translate(1564.000000, 44.000000)"> <path d="M14.2979027,25.3320157 L25.7721027,25.3320157 C26.6943238,25.3320157 27.4422104,26.0799022 27.4422104,27.0021234 C27.4422104,27.9243445 26.6943238,28.6722311 25.7721027,28.6722311 L14.2979027,28.6722311 C13.3753943,28.6722311 12.627795,27.9243445 12.627795,27.0021234 C12.627795,26.0799022 13.3753943,25.3320157 14.2979027,25.3320157 L14.2979027,25.3320157 Z M14.2979027,18.6860496 L30.1657928,18.6860496 C31.0883011,18.6860496 31.8359005,19.4339362 31.8359005,20.3561574 C31.8359005,21.2786657 31.0883011,22.0262651 30.1657928,22.0262651 L14.2979027,22.0262651 C13.3753943,22.0262651 12.627795,21.2786657 12.627795,20.3561574 C12.627795,19.4339362 13.3753943,18.6860496 14.2979027,18.6860496 L14.2979027,18.6860496 Z M9.78473457,31.5150043 C9.78473457,32.4708286 10.5624907,33.2482975 11.518315,33.2482975 L32.9539966,33.2482975 C33.909821,33.2482975 34.6872899,32.4708286 34.6872899,31.5150043 L34.6872899,26.996092 L30.3323727,28.4878443 C30.0848004,28.5728575 29.8478548,28.3356247 29.9331552,28.0880524 L31.557597,23.3721163 L34.6872899,20.2424235 L34.6872899,14.9032485 L9.78473457,14.9032485 L9.78473457,31.5150043 Z" id="Fill-1" fill="#FFFFFF"></path> <path d="M16.8285682,13.2765377 C17.5813373,13.2765377 18.191939,12.6662232 18.191939,11.9131669 C18.191939,11.1603978 17.5813373,10.5500833 16.8285682,10.5500833 C16.0755119,10.5500833 15.4651974,11.1603978 15.4651974,11.9131669 C15.4651974,12.6662232 16.0755119,13.2765377 16.8285682,13.2765377" id="Fill-3" fill="#FFFFFF"></path> <path d="M13.0335895,13.2765377 C13.7866458,13.2765377 14.3969603,12.6662232 14.3969603,11.9131669 C14.3969603,11.1603978 13.7866458,10.5500833 13.0335895,10.5500833 C12.2808204,10.5500833 11.6702187,11.1603978 11.6702187,11.9131669 C11.6702187,12.6662232 12.2808204,13.2765377 13.0335895,13.2765377" id="Fill-5" fill="#FFFFFF"></path> <g id="Group-9"> <mask id="mask-2" fill="white"> <use xlink:href="#path-1"></use> </mask> <g id="Clip-8"></g> <path d="M35.5983386,26.3273884 L35.5983386,31.5149181 C35.5983386,32.9753648 34.4144721,34.1592314 32.9540254,34.1592314 L11.5183437,34.1592314 C10.057897,34.1592314 8.87374323,32.9753648 8.87374323,31.5149181 L8.87374323,11.5678294 C8.87374323,10.1073827 10.057897,8.92322896 11.5183437,8.92322896 L11.7259942,8.92322896 L32.5157477,8.92322896 L32.9540254,8.92322896 C34.4144721,8.92322896 35.5983386,10.1073827 35.5983386,11.5678294 L35.5983386,19.3313172 L39.5069364,15.4227195 L43.0048283,18.9208987 L35.5983386,26.3273884 Z M40.4690792,14.4605766 L42.0288995,12.9007563 C38.5666212,5.29264744 30.903943,0 21.9999569,0 C9.84967203,0 -8.61620486e-05,9.84975819 -8.61620486e-05,22.0000431 C-8.61620486e-05,34.150328 9.84967203,44.0000862 21.9999569,44.0000862 C34.1502418,44.0000862 44,34.150328 44,22.0000431 C44,20.4712411 43.8434723,18.9789144 43.5465004,17.5379978 L40.4690792,14.4605766 Z" id="Fill-7" fill="#FFFFFF" mask="url(#mask-2)"></path> </g> <path d="M20.6235756,13.2765377 C21.3766319,13.2765377 21.9869464,12.6662232 21.9869464,11.9131669 C21.9869464,11.1603978 21.3766319,10.5500833 20.6235756,10.5500833 C19.8708065,10.5500833 19.2602048,11.1603978 19.2602048,11.9131669 C19.2602048,12.6662232 19.8708065,13.2765377 20.6235756,13.2765377" id="Fill-10" fill="#FFFFFF"></path> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.dataLayer.push({"drupalLanguage":"en","drupalCountry":"","siteName":"Food Standards Agency","entityCreated":"1515666866","entityLangcode":"en","entityStatus":"1","entityUid":"184","entityVid":"282186","entityType":"node","entityBundle":"page","entityId":"288","entityTitle":"Christmas food hygiene","entityTaxonomy":{"audience":{"38":"Consumers"},"content_type":{"183":"Consumer guidance"},"nation":{"31":"England","33":"Northern Ireland","32":"Wales"},"topic":{"40":"Food \u0026 drink","179":"Poultry meat and poultry meat products","101":"Food processes","102":"Preparation \u0026 cooking","103":"Storage \u0026 refrigeration","144":"FSA activities","149":"Safety"}},"userUid":0});</script> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/288","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"eJyFkmtunTAQhTcEuM0aokhdhTXYB5jED-oZ6GX3NVxS3RsU9Q9mzjeax7Fdzh8Ml5MgqXGPURs5NU-KEahyGqXKBYaToiQK3fvvBWXrhlxi40kp0IZieky0ci7S4KaB04fxZZlr-hk2g5B9-fHy04wh9xSO-N7vHMSefR9JnjUvaqn23ZSd3NkimqOpv-0E8nXEN759JYWSz7H91_oRIeYVr8sc2JHC_3q91JV1vGiKgHnKCe3ACP6CJ0S0mscx4Cv7g_6w61m21ZrD0kd94nqUzfbkngafaYSdC3_6c1cFVNxkBw610n3iI3EA_F7BPEUHF6xIJlK97t0c1t133e-bnIMI9xxYt0Y2UUTTk6BZ2SNbxB7eHsubApnrdfGK9oDNuaI5z47e6XYRXY5zFlZcSPU21hk6DyUO0gmt_086zf4uLdZt6vrf8vq4uO5w4fvnL2zMO3U","theme":"fsa_2021","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"form_action_p_pvdeGsVG5zNF_XLGPTvYSKCf43t8qZYSwcfZl2uzM":true,"\/safety-hygiene\/christmas-food-hygiene?ajax_form=1":true},"cookieconsent":{"message":"We use cookies to make food.gov.uk work, understand how you use the website and make improvements.\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey aren\u2019t used to identify you personally.","dismiss":"Accept cookies","learnMore":"Find out more about cookies","link":"\/cookie-policy","path":"\/","expiry":365,"target":"_self","domain":".www.food.gov.uk","markup":"\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022cookie-banner\u0022 \u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022cookie-banner__message\u0022\u003EWe use cookies to make food.gov.uk work, understand how you use the website and make improvements.\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey aren\u2019t used to identify you personally. \u003Ca href=\u0022\/cookie-policy\u0022 class=\u0022cookie-banner__find-out-more\u0022\u003EFind out more about cookies\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022cookie-banner__actions\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/cookie-consent?dest=\/safety-hygiene\/christmas-food-hygiene\u0022 class=\u0022cookie-banner__manage\u0022\u003EManage cookies\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cbutton class=\u0022cookie-banner__accept\u0022 data-cc-event=\u0022click:dismiss\u0022\u003EAccept cookies\u003C\/button\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","container":".cc_placeholder","theme":"\/modules\/custom\/fsa_custom\/css\/cookieconsent.css"},"dataLayer":{"defaultLang":"en","languages":{"en":{"id":"en","name":"English","direction":"ltr","weight":0},"cy":{"id":"cy","name":"Welsh","direction":"ltr","weight":1}}},"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":true,"extTargetAppendNewWindowLabel":"(opens in a new window)","extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":false,"extNoreferrer":false,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":false,"extSubdomains":false,"extExclude":"","extInclude":"^.*\\.(pdf|PDF|xlsx|XLSX|doc|DOC|xls|XLS|ocx|OCX|PTX|ptx|txt|TXT)$","extCssExclude":".document-download__link, .header__links-anchor","extCssInclude":"","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":false,"extAlertText":"This link will take you to an external web site. We are not responsible for their content.","extHideIcons":false,"mailtoClass":"mailto","telClass":"tel","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","telLabel":"(link is a phone number)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"append","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","extAdditionalLinkClasses":"","extAdditionalMailtoClasses":"","extAdditionalTelClasses":"","extFaTelClasses":"fa fa-phone","whitelistedDomains":[],"extExcludeNoreferrer":""}},"icon_select":{"icon_select_url":"\/sites\/default\/files\/icons\/icon_select_map.svg?hash=de3dec9a77b3acc17df7afb16b803a57"},"ajax":{"edit-actions-submit":{"callback":"::submitAjaxForm","event":"click","effect":"fade","speed":500,"progress":{"type":"throbber","message":""},"disable-refocus":true,"url":"\/safety-hygiene\/christmas-food-hygiene?ajax_form=1","httpMethod":"POST","dialogType":"ajax","submit":{"_triggering_element_name":"op","_triggering_element_value":"Submit"}}},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"fe6ea08cc1485ddc6fc53ce326ce52d18e6ad2935137225d595d1afbf49e9b9b"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_Iq38ZPi24zwyriTCPuwYk0uF2d4jwetFe7McQGuZw9s.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=fsa_2021&include=eJyFUltOxDAMvFDbAGdASJyicpPZ1mweJXbL9vakDyS2gPhyPHbsscc2pSvDpiiIagSqHHup7B1859WBY-VIydOCbDoMNHPKUl2E2j3TpFHTpC1F8ouyvYvtpj2qVZ7jlXV1dW1F1kKEO_asSyWLKILpSLCVeHp4ejS9Tx35Cjdd_xqXp5F8c7jVzA6pRejg2gvDO5MhY2nGM-otuJOZRFMwAxeTl7Yje_2Oj9SjHTMXgt9QAWU7lLJe8TXwHlmfhQFymfiE1zL359w6I6QZz9Po2ZLCvT7_SBlArmjxwrdz5APdJeVwhhUe45Ai6m3uHy0puhTqbUnnnwMCak197_c9C2ZEE6govbrbNi6AW9dk7rzqIGMO22zMzmBhFoq6jYMSe2mEZvybdPA5p9Eb3f78G8rxFHrlfjNMUW8TpHl7n5CX36nZFMYkrH_zKcfM5X4-AZBQO3U"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Christmas food hygiene | Food Standards Agency