'If in doubt throw it out': Officials remind Aussies not to risk festive food poisoning
With food the big focus of Christmas, Aussie are being warned not to give anybody the unwanted gift of food poisoning.
Health bosses say it's easy to forget what you're doing in the kitchen, and if you're in any doubt about whether something is safe to eat, just throw it away.
"It's easy to get distracted when celebrating and forget to put away food – be vigilant of the temperature of left out food and pack away leftovers before they spoil," Victoria's Chief Health Officer Dr Claire Looker said.
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Health bosses say it's easy to forget what you're doing in the kitchen, and if you're in any doubt about whether something is safe to eat, just throw it away. Getty
Tips to avoid food poisoning include being aware of the 'danger zone'.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning are most likely to grow on food left at temperatures between five and 60 degrees.
If food has been left out for two hours or less in this temperature range, eat it or stick it in the fridge.
But if the leftovers have been lingering for between two and four hours, eat the food right away.
If it has been longer, throw it away.
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High risk foods to watch out for include turkey, ham, seafood, cooked rice and custard.
Put leftovers in the fridge - but only when they are not steaming hot.
Meanwhile, if you're defrosting food, do it in the fridge- and don't re-freeze it.
Another little-known fact is that bacteria can spread from food to food in the fridge.
Always store raw meat separately and on a lower shelf than cooked and ready to eat foods such as ham and salads.
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Finally, health bosses say, if in doubt, throw it out.
For advice call the Food Safety Hotline on 1300 364 352.
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