• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Scientists have issued a warning against wrapping Christmas leftovers up in tin foil

Home> Lifestyle> Food & Drink

Published 16:23 26 Dec 2023 GMT

Scientists have issued a warning against wrapping Christmas leftovers up in tin foil

Stuffing the leftover bits of turkey and the trimmings in the fridge wrapped in tinfoil isn't the brightest idea.

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

Although it may be tempting to wrap up the leftovers of your turkey dinner in tin foil, please do resist the urge.

We get it - wrapping has become second nature over the festive season after parcelling up a load of presents, but the scraps of your Christmas feast need a bit more tender loving care.

According to scientists, aluminium foil just isn't going to cut it - as there is a much better, and safer, way to store what is left lingering when you're family have been up for seconds.

Advert

This might come to a shock to a lot of Brits, as we all think a trusty roll of tin foil can work wonders.

But the experts have issued a warning about the shortfalls of the handy kitchen staple in the hopes of stopping people from making a very un-merry mistake.

You see, if you cover your food in tin foil, you're not completely covering it. Even if you scrunch down every flap, some air will still sneak inside - which opens the door to bacteria growing.

You don't want to get ill for New Year's Eve, do you?

Scientists have warned not to wrap your Christmas leftovers up in tin foil.
Getty Stock Photo

Advert

Air infiltrating your leftovers also means that it won't stay fresh for long, so you'll be very disappointed when you go to make a little turkey butty and find it's gone off.

Lindsay Malone, a dietician at the Cleveland Clinic, explained to MSN: "When air is present, that allows the bacteria to grow faster, so you really want to get the right containers and pack things appropriately.

"Otherwise, your food isn't going to last."

Fair enough. So, what are we supposed to do instead then? Obviously, get other containers.

Apparently, the best things for the job are shallow air-tight containers, because they keep all the air out so that bacteria can't thrive and grow.

Advert

They also help the food to cool down, which you need to do before you put it in the fridge.

Swap the tin foil for something more airtight.
Getty Stock Photo

Incidentally, if you want to keep the food and have it in the fridge, you're better off getting it in there as quickly as possible afterwards.

You've got to let it cool down before it goes into the fridge, but it is best if you get it in there within two hours.

It makes sense that there would be more bacteria on pigs in blankets that have just been sat on the kitchen side than those in a sealed container.

Advert

Malone continued: "If you have an abundance of food left over, the smartest thing to do would be to put a portion of it in the refrigerator, and then pack a portion of it really nice in air-tight containers and put it into the freezer.

"And then when you're ready to eat it, take it out."

Even though you might be busy getting festive, food safety should still be a priority.

Featured Image Credit: LADbible/PA

Topics: Food And Drink, Christmas, Science

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

X

@livburke_

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Brits issued warning as supermarket cutoff dates for Christmas food shop are getting closer
  • Baby Guinness warning issued to millions of Brits ahead of Christmas
  • Baby Guinness warning issued to millions of Brits this Christmas
  • Martin Lewis issued warning to people about using air fryers instead of ovens to cook food

Choose your content:

17 hours ago
21 hours ago
a day ago
  • 17 hours ago

    Top place to go for a night out in Europe as cheapest party destinations revealed

    The European Nightlife Index has revealed the best cities for a night out across the continent

    Lifestyle
  • 21 hours ago

    Man kicked out of Dubai on £3,000 holiday over his face tattoos

    He said he was 'massively discriminated' against

    Lifestyle
  • 21 hours ago

    Cruise ship worker reveals main difference between all inclusive holiday at sea vs in a hotel

    Turns out there's some hidden costs you need to pay for

    Lifestyle
  • a day ago

    Gordon Ramsay says you should never order one starter at a restaurant for worrying reason

    The acerbic star knows his way around a kitchen

    Lifestyle