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Safe Food for Xmas

Don't let food poisoning spoil your Christmas! Follow the simple recommendations below for a happy, healthy and safe Christmas:-

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER

1	Avoid cross contamination between raw and cooked foods
2	Cook food to the correct temperature
3	Store food safely
4	Prepare and cook food in a safe and hygienic kitchen
5	Wash you hands frequently
6	Organise your refrigerator

CHRISTMAS POULTRY

1	Follow the instructions on the wrapper.
2	Thaw thoroughly in a cool room. See the table below for thawing/cooking times. Check the weight of your bird together with any stuffing against the left hand column then read off the correct thawing and cooking times. Take special care with large birds.
3	Remove giblets before cooking. Preferably DO NOT STUFF bird. Cook stuffing separately otherwise stuff neck area only.
4	Ensure blood and water from defrosting bird does not drip or contaminate other food, work surfaces, or cutting boards. Separate raw and cooked foods and clean all surfaces/equipment well.
5	Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw poultry.
6	Cook at a high temperature (Gas mark 7/425ºF/220ºC) for 30-45 minutes, then lower temperature (Gas Mark 3/325º/F170ºC) for remaining cooking time.
7	Test if poultry is cooked with a skewer into the thickest part of the thigh - juices should run clear with no sign of red or pink - SERVE IMMEDIATELY.
8	Place any leftovers in the fridge (below 5ºC) within one and a half hours. Do not keep leftovers for more than 3 days.
	REMEMBER THAW WELL, COOK WELL AND STORE WELL

Weight (lbs)	Weight (kgs)	Thawing Time	Total Cooking Time

6	2.7	24 hours	2 hours and 20 minutes
8	3.6	24 hours	3 hours and 45 minutes
10	4.5	24 hours	4 hours and 10 minutes
12	5.4	26 hours	4 hours and 30 minutes
14	6.2	30 hours	4 hours and 50 minutes
16	7.2	30 hours	5 hours and 10 minutes
18	8.0	32 hours	5 hours and 30 minutes
20	8.9	34 hours	5 hours and 45 minutes
22	9.8	36 hours	6 hours
24	10.7	38 hours	6 hours and 15 minutes
26	11.6	40 hours	6 hours and 30 minutes

External links:
Food Standards Agency | Foodlink

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Contact us
Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House,
Church Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon,
Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX

E: info@stratford-dc.gov.uk
Tel: 01789 267 575
Fax: 01789 260 007
Minicom: 01789 260 747
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