Aurora Psychiatric Hospital issued the following announcement on March 17.
all heard the warnings – raw chicken can have harmful bacteria on it. As with other things that can be germy, like toys, door handles and even our hands, we naturally may think washing poultry would help.
But experts say otherwise. And there are good reasons why.
While raw chicken is often contaminated with bacteria that causes food poisoning, rinsing or washing it can actually make the situation worse. The CDC says that during washing, chicken juices can splash and spatter in the kitchen, potentially contaminating your other food, utensils and countertops.
What you should do when cooking chicken and other poultry is to cook it properly and make sure other foods don’t become contaminated with juices from the raw meat.
“Whether baking, frying or grilling, it’s important the chicken reaches a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that can make you sick,” says Laura Steele, dietitian for Aurora Health Center in St. Francis, WI. “And safely preparing vegetables and other foods for the meal is just as important and can be often overlooked.”
She recommends following these CDC guidelines when preparing and cooking chicken:
- Before putting the raw chicken in your shopping cart or fridge, always place the meat in a disposable plastic bag to keep any juices from dripping onto other food and surfaces.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling chicken.
- Again, do not rinse or wash the raw chicken to avoid spattering potentially contaminated juices.
- Always use a separate cutting board, plate, knife and other utensils for raw chicken. Do not use these items for fresh produce and other foods.
- After preparing the raw chicken, wash the cutting board, dishes, utensils and countertops with hot, soapy water before handling the next food item.
- Using a food thermometer, make sure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165o
Now is the perfect time to make an appointment with a primary care physician. Whether you live in Illinois or Wisconsin, it’s easy to find a doctor near you.
Original source can be found here.
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