Archived – Health Canada reminds Canadians of holiday food safety

Starting date:

December 13, 2007

Posting date:

December 13, 2007

Type of communication:

Information Update

Subcategory:

Microbiological - Other

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Food Safety

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-110001810

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Food is an important part of many holiday celebrations. However, many of the foods found at holiday parties, such as baked goods, eggnog, cider, seafood and turkey, can carry bacteria that cause foodborne illness. You can help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses for your family and friends during the holiday season by following some basic food safety tips.

• Baked goods: Holiday cookies and squares are a special treat, but uncooked cookie dough, batters or frostings made with raw eggs can contain Salmonella bacteria. Always make sure your baked goods are cooked thoroughly and never lick the spoon or eat raw cookie dough when baking using raw eggs.
• Eggnog: Store-bought eggnog is pasteurized to remove any dangerous bacteria before it is shipped for sale. If you're making eggnog at home using raw eggs, be sure to heat the egg and milk mixture to at least 71° C (160° F). Immediately after heating, refrigerate the eggnog in small, shallow containers to allow it to cool quickly. Or, use pasteurized egg and milk ingredients, which are available at many grocery stores.
• Fruit juice and cider: When making punch or serving cider, check the product label to make sure the juice or cider has been pasteurized. Unpasteurized juice may contain bacteria like E.coli or Salmonella that can make you sick. If it has not been pasteurized, you can make it safer by boiling the product before serving.
• Oysters and seafood: Some people enjoy eating raw seafood, such as oysters and sushi, during their holiday festivities. However, because raw or undercooked fish and seafood may contain bacteria, parasites or viruses, special care in their preparation and handling is needed. If you choose to serve and eat raw oysters and seafood, care is needed, as with any perishable food. Keep seafood like raw oysters or cold cooked shrimp rings refrigerated and serve them on ice to ensure they remain cold at holiday buffets. People who are more vulnerable to the risks of foodborne illness, such as older adults, pregnant women, young children and people with weakened immune systems, should avoid eating raw or undercooked fish and seafood.
• Holiday Buffets: If you are serving food buffet-style, use warming trays, chafing dishes or crock pots to keep hot foods hot, and put serving trays on crushed ice to keep cold foods cold. Don't let food remain at room temperature for more than two hours or add new food to serving dishes already in use. Instead, use a clean platter or serving dish each time you re-stock the buffet.
• Turkey and stuffing: If cooking a turkey for a holiday meal, use a digital food thermometer to make sure it is cooked properly. The temperature of the thickest part of the breast or thigh should be at least 85° C (185° F). To prevent potential cross-contamination, cook stuffing separately in its own oven dish or on the stove top. If you do stuff your turkey, stuff loosely just prior to roasting, and remove all stuffing immediately after cooking. Cook stuffing to a minimum internal temperature of 74° C (165° F), and refrigerate within two hours of cooking.

It is estimated that there are between 11 million and 13 million cases of food-related illnesses in Canada every year. Many of these illnesses could be prevented by following proper food handling and preparation techniques.

More information about safe food preparation is available from:

• Healthy Canadians Poultry Safety
• It's Your Health on Let's Talk Turkey
• It's Your Health on Holiday Food Safety
• Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education Web site

Related AWRs

Archived - Health Canada Reminds Canadians of Turkey Safety this Thanksgiving

2007-10-04 | Food

Advisory

Media enquiries

Paul Duchesne
Health Canada
(613) 954-4807

Public enquiries

(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709