![\"This](\"https:\/\/positivitybuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/bi6da6d4b49c1-225x300.png\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many home cooks have the habit of washing raw chicken, passed down through generations. While it seems logical\u2014like washing fruits and vegetables\u2014the CDC now urges you to stop this practice. Washing chicken can actually cause more harm than good. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rinsing raw chicken doesn\u2019t just remove surface grime. It spreads harmful bacteria like Campylobacter and Salmonella across your kitchen. Water splashing from the chicken can carry these bacteria to nearby utensils, food, and surfaces, making your kitchen more dangerous. The CDC\u2019s message is clear: washing chicken doesn\u2019t make it safer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest dangers is that you can\u2019t see these bacteria. Even a small water droplet can spread bacteria far from the sink, contaminating surfaces and increasing your risk of foodborne illness. This hidden threat turns your kitchen into a breeding ground for bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Campylobacter, a common cause of food poisoning in the U.S., often comes from raw poultry. Ingesting it can cause severe stomach cramps, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea within days. Meanwhile, Salmonella is another common threat in raw chicken, responsible for serious gastrointestinal issues, especially in the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The safest way to kill bacteria on chicken isn\u2019t washing\u2014it\u2019s cooking. When chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165\u00b0F (75\u00b0C), harmful bacteria are eliminated. A meat thermometer is an essential tool to ensure your chicken is properly cooked, keeping your meals safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-3248322287915085&output=html&h=250&slotname=positivitybuzz&adk=3997677827&adf=4223838987&pi=t.ma~as.positivitybuzz&w=300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teknolojibura.com%2F&wgl=1&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTI5LjAuNjY2OC42MCIsbnVsbCwwLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyJHb29nbGUgQ2hyb21lIiwiMTI5LjAuNjY2OC42MCJdLFsiTm90PUE_QnJhbmQiLCI4LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEyOS4wLjY2NjguNjAiXV0sMF0.&dt=1727864157486&bpp=136&bdt=168&idt=279&shv=r20240930&mjsv=m202409250101&ptt=5&saldr=sd&abxe=1&cookie_enabled=1&eoidce=1&prev_slotnames=positivitybuzz%2Cpositivitybuzz&correlator=4576937148059&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=60&u_his=1&u_h=720&u_w=1280&u_ah=680&u_aw=1280&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.5&dmc=8&adx=322&ady=1997&biw=1263&bih=559&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C31087434%2C42531706%2C44798934%2C95343682%2C31087523%2C95335247&oid=2&pvsid=1402188088213684&tmod=928522062&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&loc=https%3A%2F%2Fpositivitybuzz.com%2Fshould-you-wash-raw-chicken-before-cooking%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawFp_KpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRytU891U8re1fKU5_ZxozWVxn-BwRoegq4iiQPKHNjwjSBNJBd_K00DoQ_aem_Fz4vNHH17ZiFOOIbKEqjUA&fc=640&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1280%2C0%2C1280%2C680%2C1280%2C559&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=0&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=2&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=2&fsb=1&dtd=286<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the CDC\u2019s warnings, many people still wash their chicken, often because it\u2019s how they were taught. The clash between tradition and modern science continues, with many individuals defending their practices. However, the science is clear: washing raw chicken increases the risk of spreading bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to ensure cleanliness when handling chicken, concentrate on kitchen hygiene. Always wash your hands after touching raw chicken, and sanitize surfaces, cutting boards, and utensils. Using separate cutting boards for meat and other foods further reduces the risk of cross-contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The CDC\u2019s advice is based on science: washing chicken spreads harmful bacteria, while proper cooking eliminates it. Focus on thorough cooking and clean kitchen practices to keep your meals safe. The takeaway? Skip the rinse, and trust the heat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Should you wash raw chicken before cooking? Are You Still Washing Your Chicken? Many home cooks have the habit of washing raw chicken, passed down through generations…. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21167"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21167"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44554,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21167\/revisions\/44554"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Invisible Risk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Campylobacter and Salmonella: The Major Offenders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cook, Don\u2019t Wash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Tradition vs. Science Debate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Focus on Hygiene, Not Washing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Bottom Line: Skip the Wash, Let the Heat Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n