This is one of the best times of the Christmas holidays.

But the government’s food watchdog says your plate of leftovers from Christmas dinner could put you and your family at risk of food poisoning.

By storing leftovers at the wrong temperature, many people allow harmful bacteria to get into their own Christmas feast, posing a potential health risk.

So what is the right temperature to set your fridge for Christmas?

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), your refrigerator should be set to at least 5°C (41°F) or lower to store food safely.

The agency warns that you should check the temperature of your refrigerator at least once a week using a thermometer.

If your refrigerator is hotter than expected, food could deteriorate more quickly and become unsafe to eat before you have a chance to enjoy it.

Robin May, FSA chief scientific adviser: “Don’t be a turkey: our new data shows us that people are taking unnecessary and avoidable risks in the way they cook, prepare and store food.”

It may be one of the best Christmas periods, but the government’s food watchdog has warned that your leftover turkey could put you at risk of food poisoning if your fridge isn’t up to par. good temperature (stock image)

Many Brits are putting themselves at risk of food poisoning during the holidays, according to an FSA survey.

This is especially true when dealing with leftovers, as any time spent out of the refrigerator allows bacteria to start growing.

The FSA claims almost half of Brits play ‘buffet roulette’ by leaving food out of the fridge and eating it a few hours later.

According to official FSA guidelines, food should only be kept out of the refrigerator for no more than four hours at a time.

So if you plan to come back for seconds, make sure you don’t leave it too late before putting the food in a cool place.

However, when it comes to refrigerating your food, it’s essential to make sure you do it correctly.

The FSA found that 27% of people are likely to leave food that should be refrigerated in a cool place like a porch or garage due to lack of refrigerator space.

Mr May says: “If you’re cooking for a crowd, there’s a lot to think about and maybe not a lot of room in the fridge. »

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), your refrigerator should be set to at least 5°C (41°F) or lower to store food safely. However, your freezer needs to be at least -18°C (-0.4°F) to completely stop germ development (stock image)

But even though it may be crowded, it’s important to refrigerate anything you plan to eat later.

Experts have previously suggested that leftovers be placed at the top of your refrigerator, leaving the colder areas at the bottom for fresh foods.

A raw turkey, on the other hand, should be kept as low as possible to prevent juices or contaminants from leaking onto your food.

At most, the FSA recommends refrigerating leftovers for two days before eating them.

After that, the buildup of germs could make the food unsafe to eat.

But if you don’t have room in the fridge or your stomach, the FSA says you can safely freeze leftovers to eat later.

However, your freezer must be at a temperature of at least -18°C (-0.4°F) to completely stop the development of germs.

Likewise, the FSA found that you could be putting yourself at risk of food poisoning before dinner is even prepared.

Experts said leftovers should be stored in the upper part of the refrigerator, away from fresh meat. But the FSA warns not to leave leftovers more than two days before eating them.

Of those who responded, 46 percent said they don’t always check use-by dates when preparing food.

Another two in five said they occasionally cook meat, such as pork in blankets or turkey, that is past its expiration date.

While the “best before” date on food packaging refers to quality, the use-by date relates to food safety, so it is important not to eat food beyond this date.

If you want to extend the life of your food further, you can freeze it any time before its expiration date and safely consume it later.

Mr May says: “Even though we talk about this in a light-hearted way, there is a serious message behind the data.

“No one likes to be sick during the holidays, especially at a time when friends and family are gathering together, including those more vulnerable to food poisoning, like older parents or pregnant women.”