Some believe the bedroom is the most telling indication of character, others believe the bathroom cabinet discloses more of the inner self, but for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland chief executive the fridge is definitely revealing. What would give Dr Patrick Wall much joy this Christmas would be a chance to peep inside people's fridges.
For starters, out would go large volumes of drink to make more room for the "perishables": turkey, ham, other raw meats and prepared/cooked foods. It's not that he's a party pooper, but he is determined to highlight the dangers of the stuffed fridge, where temperatures may not be adequate for food preservation.
He did manage to find a victim yesterday in the form of a large red fridge parked on Dublin's Dawson Street, and with the help of Gaiety panto star June Rodgers, aka Millie Ennium - appropriately dressed as a Christmas pudding - it received a thorough check.
People, it seems, are more aware nowadays of the need to be careful about handling, preparing and storing food. High-profile outbreaks of E.coli 0157 and salmonella meant a quick education. But, invariably, at this time of year there is a jump in food poisoning cases.
"People buy more food, cook more elaborate dishes and entertain more frequently. Too much food is packed into the fridge, food is often left out on tables or counters for long periods and dishes are heated and reheated," Dr Wall noted.
How to reinforce in just 23 words this year's Christmas food safety message for those caught up in the frenetic rush to December 25th: "Keep hands and all food preparation surfaces clean, keep raw meat separate from other foods, cook to proper temperatures and refrigerate leftovers quickly."
For those able to draw breath and wishing to check how to defrost or cook a turkey correctly, not to mention issues of stuffing, Food Safety Tips for Christmas is available from the Food Safety Information Centre, Abbey Court, Dublin 1, or by phoning 1800 33 66 77.
