…..all foods can easily multiply and reach unsafe levels when the temperature rises. Preparing and storing large amounts of food at home for the holidays, and eating or cooking outdoors, can present their own challenges as well.
“So you have everyone from grandparents to pregnant women, young children and everyone in between for a big meal. And it’s hot. Suddenly everyone is in the kitchen, the fridge is being opened all the time, there is not enough room in the fridge, so you risk leaving things out.
Combine all those factors and you have a setting ripe for food poisoning. Especially when you consider you have the most vulnerable groups, the elderly and very young, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems joining you for a meal.”
Here are some tips:
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Always keep hands and work areas clean and free of contaminants.
- Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
- Cook food thoroughly and store and put leftovers away immediately into the fridge, don’t leave them on the table or bench to cool first.
- Dispose of any high-risk food left in the temperature danger zone (between 5 °C and 60 °C) for more than four hours.
- Don’t keep leftovers for more than a few days in the fridge.
- You can freeze leftovers for up to a month.
- Store cooked leftovers at the top of the fridge, above raw and uncooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.
If in doubt, throw it out!
Tomorrow we will look at safety for our pets during the holiday period ????…..
For great health information check out Health Navigator New Zealand where you will find expert opinion online.
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Currently, there are temporary changes to the steps to be followed in resuscitation. These can be found in the video below or by clicking here to see the New Zealand Resuscitation Council temporary guideline recommendation.
Click the link to go to the New Zealand Resuscitation Council Covid-19 recommended modifications for delivering resuscitation whilst the pandemic remains a threat. Click play to see a short video outlining CPR modifications that should be followed during the pandemic.
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Acknowledgement
Data and information are fact-checked against various recognised sources, including the New Zealand Resuscitation Council, Health Navigator New Zealand, St John, and other recognised entities specialising in the specific subject content. It should be noted that variances in protocols exist and where necessary are identified.