Here’s why you should NEVER wash chicken before cooking

Washing raw food items before cooking/eating is a normal habit that we have grown up with. But, you will be amazed to know that washing certain food items can be actually dangerous for the human body. Chicken is one of the food items that if washed before cooking, can cause various health ailments. Read to know how:

If you are not aware, raw chicken is densely covered with bacteria like campylobacter and salmonella. These bacteria are known to cause stomach ache, diarrhoea and severe food poisoning.

In a statement released by the UK National Health Service, when chicken is placed under running water, the bacteria spreads from one part to other and even to your sink, slab, clothes, utensils and hands as water droplets can travel up to 50 cm. According to experts, this is the reason chicken should never be washed and it is always recommended to use gloves while cooking meat, so that once cooking is done, gloves are throw away that stops further spreading of bacteria.

According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the only way to eliminate bacteria is to cook chicken at the right temperature that kills all germs and bacteria. The same rule applies for fish and all other meat varieties. The recommended temperature for cooking chicken is 165 degrees. In case sliminess is the reason because of which you wash the chicken, you can use a paper towel to clean the chicken and remove sliminess. And if you cannot do without washing, take a utensil and fill it with water. Add turmeric, black pepper and salt. When it comes to a boil, add the chicken, leave it for 2 minutes and throw away the water. You can now wash this chicken with fresh hot water. Ensure that there are no utensils in the sink where you are washing the chicken or all the bacteria would be washed into them.

When it comes to food, supreme hygiene is a must and the best way to do so is to always wash your hands with soap and warm water before entering the kitchen. Always keep the raw and cooked food covered with cling foil or metal cover. Wash all types of utensils like knife, plates and chopping board under running water before every use.

Now that you know the reason why washing chicken can be dangerous for your body, start practising the habit of cooking chicken at right temperature and also, make sure that all the food items you prepare are rightly cooked to gain maximum benefits.