‘Don’t thaw meat on the counter’: Food safety tips for your holiday dinner
Posted Dec 22, 2025 09:45:38 AM.
Last Updated Dec 22, 2025 01:31:54 PM.
Have you started to prepare for your big family holiday dinner this week?
If not, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) is out with some food safety tips to ensure you or your guests do not get sick due to bad cleanliness habits.
Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum is the Associate Medical Officer of Health for WDGPH said one bad practice is to allow any kind of meat, like turkey, chicken or beef to dethaw at room temperature. He said this can lead to the inside still being frozen, but the surface will garner bacteria as it becomes unfrozen.
“A safer way to thaw thing is to do so in the fridge,” said Tenenbaum. “It might take a bit more longer and will require more planning. But it allows the entire item to thaw while staying at a safe temperature, as opposed to becoming higher risk for attracting bacteria that can bred airborne illness.”
WDGPH also warned not to wash your turkey because it will spread bacteria around the kitchen. The best way to eliminate germs and bacteria is to cook the meat.
Tips for preparing food is to separate raw foods, like the unfrozen meat, from other ready-to-eat dishes, making sure the meat is cooked all the way through and to wash your hands beforehand.
Once everything is cooked and you have leftover, Tenenbaum suggests putting it in the fridge within two hours to prevent bacteria build-up.
Health
