FOOD safety teams in York have sent a seasonal warning to the city’s residents in an effort to prevent Christmas fare leaving a nasty taste.

The hints on safe eating are being issued by City of York Council because of the dangers of campylobacter food poisoning, which has historically shown a huge leap at this time of year.

“It’s important to check all food is cooked thoroughly for your Christmas dinner, whether you’re preparing a meal at home or eating out in a restaurant,” said senior environmental health officer Anna Carson.

“There is a peak in food poisoning cases over Christmas, so it’s always better to be safe and check.”

Tips for avoiding food dangers include making sure turkeys are cooked all the way through until piping hot, wash hands before starting to cook, keep fridge temperature levels at or below five degrees Centigrade and use different chopping boards and knives for raw and cooked meat to prevent cross-contamination.

Residents can also check the scoresonthedoors.org.uk website, which provides details of whether restaurants, cafés, fast food outlets and other eating-out spots in York are meeting hygiene standards.