How-To Guides · Kitchen
Should You Wash Raw Chicken? (How to Handle It Safely)
A lot of us were taught to rinse raw chicken before cooking it. Food safety experts say don't. Here's why, and what to do instead.
1. Why Not?
The C D C says raw chicken is ready to cook. It doesn't need washing. Rinsing it can splash germs from the raw juices onto your sink, your counter, and other food.
2. What A Usda Study Found
In a U S D A study, sixty percent of people who washed raw poultry had bacteria in their sink afterward. And about one in four got bacteria onto their salad lettuce.
3. Step 1: Separate Board
Use a separate cutting board for raw chicken. Keep it away from anything that won't be cooked, like salad or bread.
4. Step 2: Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds, before and after you handle raw chicken. That matters even if you never rinse the chicken.
5. Step 3: Clean Up
After you're done, wash the cutting board, knives, dishes, and the counter with hot, soapy water.
6. Step 4: Cook It To 165
Cooking is what kills the germs. Use a food thermometer, and cook chicken to one hundred sixty five degrees, in the thickest part.
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Sources
Checked against the official sources above. Steps can change as apps update - tell us if something looks different: wischavenindustries@gmail.com