Don’t leave food which needs to be refrigerated out for more than two hours. If it has been out for longer or in warm conditions, it should be thrown away.
People celebrating the festive season are being reminded of measures to ensure food stays safe to eat this summer as temperatures heat up.
NSW Health’s Director in Health Protection NSW Keira Glasgow said the warmer weather and buffet-style eating at holiday events can create the perfect environment for the bacteria that cause food poisoning to grow.
“As the weather heats up, so does the risk of food poisoning. Each year around Christmas we see a rise in hospital presentations caused by accidental food poisoning,” Ms Glasgow said.
“It’s important to wash your hands thoroughly after touching raw meats and eggs because unclean hands can carry germs from these items to the food.
“What many people don’t know is how often eating contaminated raw foods themselves cause outbreaks. If the food you are preparing has been grown in soil, then it needs to be washed and dried before eating.
“The longer food is left out of the fridge, the faster bacteria will grow and multiply.
“This is particularly important to remember over Christmas when the weather is warm, and food is left out for people to graze on throughout the day.
For further information refer to NSW Health Salmonellosis fact sheet.