Food safety essentials for holiday hosting

The holiday season is just around the corner—a time filled with festive gatherings, delicious meals and cherished moments with family and friends. While you're busy planning your celebrations, don’t forget one essential ingredient: food safety.

Whether you're hosting a dinner party, attending a potluck or preparing homemade treats, it's important to handle, store and cook food properly to keep everyone healthy and happy.

Check out our food safety web page at durham.ca/FoodSafety for a variety of helpful resources including tips to get your kitchen holiday-ready, guidance on safely storing homemade canned goods and the latest updates on food recalls.

Here are some key food safety tips to keep in mind this season:

• Hot foods should stay at 60°C or higher, and cold foods should be kept at 4°C or lower.
• Cook hazardous foods thoroughly. Most should reach 74°C, while whole poultry needs to hit 82°C.
• Don’t leave food out too long. Meats, seafood, stews and cheeses shouldn’t sit at room temperature for more than two hours.
• Thaw your turkey safely. Always thaw it in the refrigerator, never on the counter.
• Use a probe thermometer to check internal temperatures and ensure food is cooked properly.
• Wash your hands before and after handling food—especially raw hazardous foods, such as poultry or meats.
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly to prevent bacteria growth.
• And remember: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

If you're dining out this holiday season, visit durham.ca/CheckAndGo for the latest restaurant inspection results. It’s a great way to make sure your favourite spots are up to standard.

Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday season!