Christmas is a special time of year when we love to celebrate with family and friends exchange gifts and eat fabulous food.
To save you and your loved ones from a nasty bout of food poisoning over the festive season, we're suggesting some simple steps to keep you healthy.
Dine out with confidence
Dining out is a festive treat, but have you ever thought to check a restaurant's hygiene rating before booking? No matter how enticing the menu looks, it's worth ensuring the venue complies with food safety standards.
Steps to take before booking that special Christmas meal
We recommend check a restaurant's hygiene rating on the Food Standards Agency's website.
The simple online tool rates food businesses from 0 to 5. This signals whether urgent improvement is required, or hygiene standards are very good. The result will tell you whether your chosen venue prepares and handles food safely. These ratings help you make informed choices about where to eat this Christmas or any other time of year.
Not checked ahead? Don't Worry
Many businesses display their hygiene rating on a sticker at the entrance. The date of the inspection is also shown on the back of the sticker, so you can confirm the rating is up to date. No sticker, it's worth an online check.
Lead Councillor for Regulatory and Democratic Services, Cllr Merel Rehorst-Smith, says:
"Our dedicated specialist food and safety Environmental Health Officers work tirelessly to make sure that food sold in our borough is safe to eat. I'm very proud that the majority of these food businesses are rated 'good' or 'very good'.
"When choosing where to eat, always check the hygiene ratings first to dine with peace of mind."
In Guildford, 98.3% of food businesses inspected are currently rated 3 (generally satisfactory) or above under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.
Katrina Lucas, owner of Butties sandwich shop and catering business says:
"Having a 5 star rating is very important in the food service industry. It indicates that our hygiene standards are excellent and reassures customers that as a business we take food hygiene seriously."
Diana Parasca, director of Italian restaurant Olivo says:
"Maintaining impeccable hygiene is crucial for building long-term relationships with customers, creating a reputation of reliability, and distinguishing ourselves as leaders in the industry."
Five tips for safe home-cooking this Christmas
Cooking a Christmas feast can be challenging. This is especially when catering for more people than usual or working with unfamiliar ingredients. You can avoid common pitfalls with these five food safety tips:
Avoid cross-contamination When Christmas food shopping take enough bags with you so that you can separate out raw and ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross-contamination.
Check the labelling on your turkey Ensure you have enough time to fully defrost your bird. Dependent on its size it could take up to four days!
Don't wash raw turkey Washing raw turkey just spreads germs further by splashing them onto your hands, clothes, utensils, and worktops.
Work out the right cooking time for your bird Read the instructions on the packaging. Before serving, check that the meat is steaming hot throughout, there is no pink meat visible when you cut into the thickest part, and meat juices run clear.
Using leftovers safely Whether you cooked your turkey from frozen or fresh, your turkey leftovers can be transformed into an extra meal. We love a delicious turkey curry or pasta bake. This new meal can then be frozen, but make sure you only reheat it once.
Let's make this festive season a time of joy, fun, and good health. Whether dining out or cooking at home, a little food safety goes a long way in keeping the Christmas cheer going!
