Food experts have produced a ‘Let’s Talk about Turkey’ guide offering advice on how best to store, prepare and cook the traditional Christmas meal.

With the intention of trying to limit the occurrence of food poisoning this festive season the Food Standards Agency has posted the tips on their website.

Not wanting to stop people from eating, drinking and being merry, the Agency is determined to make sure that everyone knows that under cooked turkey can cause severe illness.

Families should also be aware, say the Agency, that unwashed vegetables can carry E.Coli, buffets are the breeding ground of bacteria and a cheeseboard left standing for too long can be a listeria risk.

Cllr Daniel Anderson, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “We all have our different traditions over the season, but many will choose to cook turkey for their main Christmas dinner or will order turkey when out for a festive meal

“By taking some simple steps, the Food Standards Agency has offered some guidance to make sure you don’t end up giving a loved one an unwanted present – food poisoning.

“In addition, if you are eating out, we would urge you to take a look at the restaurant’s food hygiene rating.

“A simple check can tell you whether a business takes its hygiene standards seriously.

“There are some marvellous places in which to eat in Enfield and a huge amount of choice, but make sure you select your venue wisely.”

Some eating and drinking establishments display their hygiene rating in their windows for customers to see.

The establishments are rated from zero to five, with five the highest score.

Enfield Council applies the scheme to restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, hotels, supermarkets and food shops.

Cllr Anderson, added: “We are certainly not killjoys, but by empowering people to make healthy and safe choices in their everyday lives, Enfield will have stronger, more cohesive communities.

“We want everyone to have a fun and joyful Christmas.

“However, please take these simple steps so as to enjoy your festive meal and avoid any nasty side effects.”

If cooking turkey at home for the festive meal, the Food Standards Agency recommends:

Take plenty of shopping bags to the supermarket so that raw and ready-to-eat foods are carried separately to reduce the risk of cross-contamination

Read advice given on preparing turkey so that it is defrosted fully (a big turkey can take up to four days to thaw)

Check instructions on packaging to calculate how long it will take to cook the turkey

Check the meat is steaming hot throughout, that there are no pink bits and meat juices run clear

Don’t wash raw turkey because germs splash onto hands, clothes, utensils and worktops

Leftovers can be used to make a new meal, which can be frozen. But, only reheat it once.

The Food Standards Agency ‘Let’s Talk about Turkey’ guide can be seen at www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/news/2017/16773/let-s-talk-turkey.

Information about the food hygiene ratings scheme can be found at http://ratings.food.gov.uk/.