Christmas is a time for eating, but the NSW Food Authority is warning hosts that large dinner parties could be a recipe for disaster.
NSW Food Authority CEO Lisa Szabo warned that cooking unfamiliar foods for large numbers of people could lead to the risk of food poisoning.
"The turkey for Christmas lunch is an example of this, unlike our northern hemisphere counterparts very few people in this part of the world would roast a whole bird during the year," she said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Authorities traditionally see a spike in food poisoning rates during the warmer months as the hotter weather creates an ideal environment for bacteria such as salmonella to grow.
"Reducing the risk isn't a difficult task," Dr Szabo said.
Food poisoning affects up to 4.1 million Australians every year.
To help prevent the unpleasant illness, the NSW Food Authority has dedicated a section to its website to help keep festive feasts on track.
The website www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/fp/summer-eating includes safety advice for traditional Christmas foods such as ham and seafood and information on food safety when preparing for large groups at Christmas time.
Dr Szabo said food poisoning can be reduced by ensuring food is kept cold and clean.
"Make sure your Christmas is a happy and healthy one."
