Residents can drop in for advice about safe Christmas cooking at the Civic Centre in Stafford this week as part of a national campaign. 

Environmental Health Officers from Stafford Borough Council will be on hand to share top tips to help make sure people don’t fall ill over the festive period through poor hygiene and cooking practices. 

It is part of the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) seasonal campaign with the walk-in sessions taking place in the reception of the council offices on Thursday (22 December) from 11am until 1pm. 

There are an estimated 2.4 million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year and with more food consumed during the Christmas period people are being asked to remember the importance of cleaning, chilling, cooking and avoiding cross-contamination in the kitchen. 

Top festive tips to keep you safe include: 

• Never use the same plates and utensils for raw and ready to eat foods 
• Check your fridge temperature is between 0 - 5C 
• Never wash raw turkey - it can spread bacteria around your kitchen 
• Only re-heat leftovers once  

You can also get more information from the FSA website at www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/christmas-food-hygiene 

Councillor Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member for Environment at the borough council, said: “We want everyone to remain healthy especially over this time of year when traditionally people eat, drink and socialise more - and having a bout of food poisoning is just the thing that will ruin Christmas and New Year for you. 

“I’d urge people to check out these websites to help keep them safe and, if you have the opportunity, drop into the Civic Centre on Thursday and have a chat with our experts about what to do and what to avoid when cooking this Christmas.”   

And if you are eating out over Christmas and the New Year you can check the hygiene standards of local restaurants and cafes at www.ratemyplace.org.uk/about

Press Release No 5987