HEALTH chiefs have issued a warning to anyone planning on roasting a turkey this Christmas.
More than 200 people have become ill this year with a strain of salmonella linked to poultry and eggs imported from Poland.
SolStockOver 200 people have fallen ill this year with a strain of salmonella linked to poultry[/caption]
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are urging Brits to take care when handling and cooking poultry products at home.
Tina Potter, head of incidents at the FSA, said: “A number of the cases have involved the consumption of eggs produced in Poland and used in restaurants and cafes.
“Cooking food at the right temperature and for the correct length of time will kill harmful bacteria.
“At the same time, make sure that any surfaces and equipment that come into contact with food are clean to avoid risks from cross contamination and always wash your hands before and after handling food.”
Other Christmas foods that contain poultry and risk making people sick include Yorkshire puddings, Christmas cake frosting and baked goods, like mince pies.
Officials warned that salmonella can be spread from person to person, and from food.
“Anyone affected should follow good hygiene practices, such as washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and avoiding handling food for others where possible if you have symptoms,” Ms Potter added.
The FSA is in discussion with Polish health officials and the EU to ensure steps are taken to improve the safety of poultry and eggs imported from the country.
Salmonella is a bacteria often found in food like eggs, chicken and turkey that can cause food poisoning symptoms for up to two weeks in otherwise healthy people.
Once it enters the body, it will start causing symptoms in as little as eight hours – but not everyone gets sick.
Signs of the bug can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, headache and blood in your poo.
Every year, an average of 10,000 people in the UK are infected with Salmonella and 33 die.
In serious cases, it can be deadly, and young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk.
They may need antibiotics to clear up the infection in these cases — although the drugs are not needed in most infections.
Not cooking potatoes enough can also lead to tummy troubles.
Raw spuds are hard for your body to digest and can be toxic in high quantities, Healthline says.
The FSA advises Brits to:
Follow cooking and storage instructions on the product label, including the cooking time and temperature – this is important to ensure that the food is safe when consumed
Use or freeze products by their use-by date
Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw poultry products
Never wash raw poultry products
Clean all surfaces and utensils with hot soapy water after contact with raw poultry
Only reheat cooked and frozen meat once