The holidays should be a festive time, a time for good food and drink. Food safety should be a major priority to ensure a happy holiday. When purchasing a frozen turkey or ham make sure that they are frozen solid.
Proper storage is essential to serving safe food.
The freezer should maintain foods at approximately 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Meat or poultry, when purchased fresh, should be purchased no more than 2 or 3 days prior to service. Frozen products can be purchased much earlier without adversely effecting food safety or quality. It is recommended that you thaw the turkey in the refrigerator, which takes between 1 and 3 days depending upon the size of the product. Thawing can also take place in the microwave oven.