The Food Standards Agency has opted to use this form of website promotion after a survey discovered that one in five people will put themselves at risk of food poisoning by eating leftovers from Christmas Day right up until the New Year.

As part of the online initiative, a 60-second video has been produced that offers tips on safe food handling practices for festive goods and the hazards that poor food hygiene can create.

The video is being distributed to a range of sites and can be previewed on the government's Eatwell page.

Described as "shocking but amusing", the clip focuses on a family that has not followed the FSA's advice on safe practices.

Those that view the viral have been encouraged to share it with their online friends by the FSA.

Meanwhile, Azmina Govindji, a TV dietician, has produced an alternative festive menu for Axa PPP Healthcare's Nutrition & Fitness website.