As households across Scotland turn to Boxing Day leftovers, fresh advice is being shared on how to reheat festive food safely and avoid unnecessary waste after Christmas.
Figures show an estimated 54 million plates of food are wasted across the UK during the festive period, with much of that loss happening in the days after Christmas when leftovers are reheated incorrectly or thrown away.
Food hygiene expert Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, has shared practical guidance to help families make the most of their leftovers without risking their health.
He said the days after Christmas are when food safety matters most.
“Ideally, we should all eat food straight after it has been cooked as this is when it is at its freshest, but certain foods can be kept for a number of days after they were first cooked.”
Dr Anderson explained that cooked meats such as turkey, chicken, and pork should be eaten within 2 to 3 days and stored in sealed containers in the fridge.
Vegetables and potatoes can usually be kept for longer, between 3 and 5 days, but still need to be refrigerated and properly sealed to remain safe.
When reheating meat, he advises using a preheated oven at around 220°C and ensuring it is piping hot all the way through before serving.
Root vegetables should be reheated in the oven at around 160°C, while green vegetables and mashed potatoes can be reheated in the microwave for roughly 3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Dr Anderson said leftovers should only ever be reheated once.
“The Food Standards Agency recommends that food is only reheated once, so this guidance should be followed wherever possible.
“It’s also important to ensure that the core temperature of the food is piping hot for food safety purposes.”
He added that while microwaves are convenient, they are not always the best option for every dish.
“Microwaves will safely reheat meat like turkey, but they can cause it to become dry and less appetising.”
“You should only eat reheated food once it is visibly steaming, and if you have a temperature probe, check that it has reached at least 75°C.”
Dr Anderson said chicken and turkey are safe to reheat once, provided they are heated thoroughly through the thickest part of the meat.
“For ease, if you have a large joint left over, cut it into smaller portions before storing.
“This means you can reheat only what you need and avoid reheating the same food more than once.”
With fridges still full across the country, he said following simple steps can help families enjoy Boxing Day meals safely while cutting down on food waste at the same time.
