The Biggest Thanksgiving Turkey Mistakes, According To Food Safety Experts

The last thing you want to do is put anyone at risk of getting a foodborne illness, but it happens.

You’ve purchased a Thanksgiving turkey and the fixings to accompany it. You’re feeling anxious as you slowly cross all the items off your to-do lists as you get closer to the day of preparation and cooking. Food safety is likely far from your mind as you’re focused on having enough side dishes, drinks and desserts for everyone. But it shouldn’t be.

“When you’re preparing a holiday meal, usually for a larger group of people, you’re preparing more food and you’re a little bit more rushed,” said Keith Schneider, a food safety professor in the department of food science and human nutrition at the University of Florida. “You may be more prone to make mistakes.”