DINNER is often the highlight of Christmas Day with an abundance of leftovers.
First aid training course provider CPR First Aid has issued advice on how to safely use, store and consume leftovers.
Put leftovers away within two hours
IT might be a case of your household leaving food out on Christmas Day for people to consume as the day goes by, but this is something to be very careful about.
Hot weather during Australian Christmases can accelerate the growth of harmful bacteria like salmonella and listeria, so most leftovers should be cooled quickly and put in the fridge within two hours of preparation. Anything left out for more than four hours should be discarded completely.
The risk of Australian Christmas staples
SEAFOOD platters, prawns, and raw fish dishes are often staples of Australian Christmas banquets and come with their risks of spoilage.
In general, seafood should be chilled on ice, and seafood leftovers should be consumed within 24 hours.
Items like salad, especially ones dressed with mayonnaise and containing eggs and dairy should be stored without their dressings, and if dressed should be consumed immediately and any leftovers should be discarded.
Keep meats and desserts in the fridge for four days maximum.
Large cuts of meat like ham and turkey, whether they are part of a roast or served cold, can be crafted into smaller portions to speed up the cooling process and allow them to be refrigerated quickly. Once refrigerated they should be consumed within three to four days.
When it comes to cream-based desserts like pavlovas and trifles, these should be kept in the fridge and consumed within two days and should also not be left out for too long on Christmas day.
Label your leftovers to keep track of expiry dates
LABELLING containers with the date they were stored and making sure to use older leftovers before fresher ones is best.
Additionally, if you don’t get around to consuming certain leftovers that are cooked meats or seafood, for example, consider freezing them.
Common sense and smell also go a long way in consuming leftovers safely, as a foul odour or slimy texture are signs that your food is spoiled, and if you’re in doubt, throw it out.
