When it comes to preparing chicken, many of us have been taught to wash it thoroughly before cooking.

However, recent research suggests that washing chicken before cooking actually increases the risk of foodborne illness and can pose a danger to our health.

What Happens When You Wash Chicken?

It’s common practice for many home cooks to wash chicken with water, vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaning agents in order to remove bacteria or other contaminants from the surface of the meat.

However, this cleaning process can actually do more harm than good. When you wash chicken with water, you run the risk of contaminating other surfaces in your kitchen with a spray of water that could contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella or Campylobacter.

These bacteria are often found in the intestines of poultry and can cause serious foodborne illness in humans.

When you wash chicken, these bacteria can easily spread to countertops, cutting boards, and other kitchen surfaces, where they can be transferred to other food items and cause cross-contamination. This can put you and your family at risk of getting sick from harmful bacteria.

Why You Should Stop Washing Chicken

While it may seem counterintuitive, research has shown that washing chicken before cooking can actually increase the risk of foodborne illness. In fact, the USDA officially recommends against washing chicken before cooking it. Here are a few reasons why:.

1. Increased Risk of Cross-Contamination

As mentioned earlier, washing chicken before cooking can easily spread harmful bacteria to other surfaces in your kitchen. This can lead to cross-contamination and increase the risk of foodborne illness for you and your family members.

2. Bacteria Can Survive the Cooking Process

Many people believe that washing chicken before cooking it is necessary to remove bacteria that could be harmful if ingested.

However, bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter can actually survive the cooking process if the chicken isn’t cooked to the proper temperature. This means that even if you wash your chicken, you could still get sick if it isn’t cooked thoroughly.

3. Proper Cooking is the Best Way to Kill Harmful Bacteria

Rather than relying on washing chicken to remove bacteria, it’s much more effective to ensure that chicken is cooked to the appropriate temperature.

According to the USDA, chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F in order to kill harmful bacteria.

What Should You Do Instead?

If you’ve been accustomed to washing chicken before cooking it, you may be wondering what steps you should take instead. Here are a few tips to help you safely prepare chicken:.

1. Use a Separate Cutting Board

Using a separate cutting board for raw chicken and other foods can help prevent cross-contamination. Make sure to wash your cutting board thoroughly with soap and water after each use.

2. Wash Your Hands Frequently

Washing your hands frequently is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. Make sure to wash your hands before and after handling chicken, as well as any other foods or kitchen utensils.

3. Cook Chicken to an Appropriate Temperature

As mentioned earlier, it’s important to ensure that chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F in order to kill harmful bacteria. Investing in a meat thermometer can help ensure that your chicken is cooked to the proper temperature.

Conclusion

While washing chicken may seem like a necessary step in the cooking process, it can actually pose a danger to our health by increasing the risk of cross-contamination and spreading harmful bacteria.

By following proper food safety measures and cooking chicken to the appropriate temperature, we can help ensure that our food is safe and free from harmful bacteria.