Holidays and food go hand in hand. You should look forward to all the delicious meals you’re about to cook without worrying about the possibility of getting sick. Avoid food safety mistakes by keeping these helpful tips in mind. You don’t have to change your favorite recipes to keep your loved ones safe.
1. Food left for too long
When your next holiday meal is ready, check the clock. Before enjoying a delicious meal with your loved ones, be mindful of the time. Experts have found that perishable items must be refrigerated within two hours of being placed on the counter. Anything warm needs cold temperatures to stop bacteria from multiplying and potentially making you sick.
If you don’t want to rush back to the kitchen to store your food, consider a hot tray. They heat food from below, while the lid confines the heat to each temperature-safe bowl. You can also purchase an aluminum hot pot and some fuel cans to create a buffet range that will keep your meals warm while making the buffet easy for everyone to enjoy.
2. Not washing vegetables
People have long been divided over the importance of washing vegetables. Some people believe that if you peel your vegetables, you don’t need to scrub them. Others say soap and water are necessary to clean produce.
In fact, you should wash everything that has come into contact with dirt, pesticides, truck beds, produce bins, or grocery carts. You can prevent bacteria, viruses, and dirt from contaminating your meals. Rinse food thoroughly under the kitchen tap. You can also take an extra minute or two to check your produce for spoiled items that should be discarded.
3. Eat partially moldy food
Mold spores can linger on food for a long time before turning into disgusting, fuzzy stuff. If a piece of bread becomes moldy, the rest of the bread will also have spores. Some produce viral toxins that may require a trip to a local emergency room. Foodborne illness affects more than 48 million people each year, and you don’t want your guests to be one of them. You’re better off spending a few extra dollars to swap out an ingredient than risk scraping mold off the bread, cheese, or other foods you need this holiday season.
4. Drink raw milk
Consumption of raw milk is becoming a TikTok trend, but unpasteurized dairy products can contain high levels of viruses and bacteria. Pasteurization heats milk to high temperatures to kill microscopic contaminants so it is safe to drink. Use only pasteurized milk in cooking to protect your health and the health of anyone you feed it. If you want to change your dairy habits, you can always replace milk with plant-based or lactose-free alternatives.
5. Cook the stuffing inside the turkey
Golden turkey loaded with roasted stuffing makes a perfect meal. They also make everyone sick. Cooking stuffing inside a raw turkey increases the risk of cross-contamination because everything inside the turkey will cook more slowly than the outside meat. If you and your loved ones can’t eat turkey without stuffing, cook the square bread mixture in a separate casserole so you know what you’re serving is safe to eat.
6. Waiting for fresh fish to cook
Fresh fish goes bad quickly. You might want to grill salmon during the holidays so that its omega-3 fatty acids can improve your heart health by raising cholesterol levels. Check the expiration date on any seafood you buy. Its turnaround time can be quick, as the fish spoils within days of opening.
Without pre-packaged preservatives, fresh fish may only have a shelf life of 24 hours. If you’re celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, your best bet may be to buy salt cod that morning to prevent it from spoiling.
Prep food safely this holiday season
Avoid making the most common food safety mistakes this holiday season and you’ll have an unforgettable time with your loved ones. Always research your ingredients and recipes before doing anything. You can prevent foodborne illness while enjoying all of your favorite holiday meals.
