Christmas dessert warning against trying 'harmful’ dessert hack

By Nicola Roy, Spare Time writer

Food hygiene experts have cautioned against carrying out the viral fridge trend (Image: Getty)

Christmas is the perfect time of year for indulgence and a delicious dessert is an essential for enjoying after the long-awaited festive feast. 

But experts have issued a stark warning over carrying out a 'harmful' fridge hack doing the rounds on social media that could end up causing more trouble than it's worth. 

A classic tiramisu is the ideal sweet treat for following up your Christmas dinner that's fairly easy to whip up at home. 

However, fans have been taking it to the next level by preparing it directly in their fridge drawers instead of in a baking tray or dish. 

The trend started with user @rubys.food who showed herself christening her new fridge by laying out the traditional Italian dessert directly into the crisper drawer, in a video which has garnered more than six million views. 

Tiramisu is the perfect Christmas dessert - but don't keep it in your fridge drawer (Image: Getty)

Now, hygiene and cleaning experts at Alliance Online have shared an important health warning to home chefs who may be thinking of trying the trend for the Christmas season.

Spokesperson Rachael Kiss said: "Unless your fridge is brand new, it’s likely that you’ve stored raw produce like fruits, vegetables and meat which can carry a host of bacteria like E.coli or salmonella unless thoroughly cleaned after use.

"Fridge drawers are notoriously difficult to clean due to their corners and crevices which means it’s really difficult to thoroughly make sure you’re avoiding cross contamination."

If you're making tiramisu this Christmas, use a clean dish or serving tray to prepare it (Image: Getty)

Not only this, but preparing tiramisu in your fridge drawer could spell disaster for anybody with food allergies. 

Rachael said: "As fridge drawers are not designed for food preparation and therefore difficult to clean this can also mean exposing you or guests to allergens like nuts, shellfish or dairy products.

"If you’re hosting anyone with allergies it’s always best to be on the safe side and prepare your dish in a food safe dish."

As well as this, the materials used in the drawer are not designed to hold foods which will absorb contaminants - and Rachael warned this could mean 'potentially harmful chemicals' leaking into the tiramisu.

She added: "Most household fridges don’t contain drawers labelled as food-safe for direct contact so it’s always best to double check first.

"The tiramisu drawers you see in these restaurants feature steel refrigerator drawers which are designed to hold food and be cleaned thoroughly by kitchen staff who are also trained in food safety."