You should never rinse raw chicken, and here’s why
Like you, I want to keep my family healthy by keeping my kitchen and the food I prepare there as bacteria-free as possible. We all know that there is always a chance of cross-contamination when handling raw chicken, and none of us want that!
Since I’ve been getting mixed signals about how to treat raw chicken, I thought it was about time I did a little research to find out the truth about washing raw chicken.
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What I found surprised me, and I’m sharing it with you today so we can all avoid foodborne illness due to improper handling of poultry. This post will tell you about the bacteria that can contaminate raw chicken and how to prevent cross-contamination and maintain a safe and healthy kitchen.
The risks of rinsing raw chicken
Sometimes a recipe will call for a chicken rinse, and you may have even heard a famous chef or two recommend rinsing chicken. But the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration says that rinsing raw chicken can actually do a lot more harm than good!
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Raw chicken can carry bacteria that can make you sick (such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium Perfringens), but rinsing the chicken won’t help. Any bacteria present in the chicken will be present everywhere, so rinsing the outside only spreads the bacteria in your sink instead of getting rid of it.
According to the Center for Disease Control, washing chicken actually can spread germs around your kitchen. Bacteria can end up all over your sink, kitchen towels, and even on walls and floors where contaminated water may have splashed or dripped.
The best way to avoid illness caused by bacteria in raw chicken is to cook it thoroughly (see tip #7 below) and follow standard food safety procedures. Here are some specific tips to follow when storing, handling and preparing raw poultry to prevent cross-contamination and possible food poisoning.
8 Food Safety Tips for Raw Chicken and Poultry
- Place the chicken in a disposable bag before placing it in the shopping cart or in the refrigerator to prevent cross-contamination from juices spilling onto other foods.
- When storing raw chicken in the refrigerator, place it on the lowest shelf to prevent juices from dripping onto ready-to-eat foods.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw chicken.
- Use a separate cutting board when working with raw chicken.
- Likewise, do not place cooked food or fresh produce on a plate, cutting board, or other surface that has previously had raw chicken on it.
- After cooking the chicken, wash the cutting board, utensils, dishes and counters with hot, soapy water before using them for anything else.
- When cooking chicken, use a food thermometer to make sure it reaches 165°F, the recommended internal temperature for poultry. (Take mine free guide to print meat temperature here!)
- Refrigerate or freeze leftover chicken within 2 hours under normal conditions or within 1 hour if the food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F.
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By following these simple rules, you and your family will happily enjoy safe and delicious chicken!
What is your family’s favorite chicken dish?
