Fed: Food poisoning risk higher at Christmas

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2006
Fed: Food poisoning risk higher at Christmas

CANBERRA, Dec 19 AAP - The beer or the Christmas ham?

When the fridge is full and decisions have to be made on a hot December 25, Australia's
food safety agency is warning those who chose to keep beer cold at the expense of food
could be at risk of food poisoning.

The Food Safety Information Council said food poisoning bacteria grow best between
five and 60 degrees celsius, so food - especially the turkey or Christmas ham - should
be kept in the fridge.

"If there is not enough room, remember that soft drinks and alcohol, pickles, jams
and other acidic condiments don't need refrigeration to remain safe," the Food Safety
Information Council, a partnership of government agencies, industry and professional groups,
says.

"Drinks can be kept cold in an esky with ice."

Launching the food safety guidelines today, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and
Ageing Christopher Pyne today said Christmas was a risky period for food poisoning.

"Statistics show that the risk of food poisoning increases with the hot weather, and
people are also more likely to be cooking for those at risk, such as the elderly, the
very young and pregnant women," Mr Pyne said.

About 5.4 million people suffer food poisoning in Australia each year.

AAP jb/sb/goc/de

KEYWORD: XMAS FOOD

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