Although raw chicken and turkey can carry bacteria on their surfaces, research has shown that washing raw poultry under running water in your kitchen sink is a bad idea.
If germs were visible to the naked eye, you would see that washing poultry just splashes bacteria all over you, your kitchen towels, your countertops, and any other food you have nearby, such as raw foods or salads. This can make people sick, especially young children, pregnant women, older adults, and the immunocompromised.
When water splashes off the poultry, it can aerosolize (turn into a fine spray). Even if you can't see or feel the spray, bacteria from raw poultry could be landing on you, your kitchen towels, your countertops, and nearby food.
Instead, just take raw poultry straight from the package into the cooking pan. The heat from the cooking process will kill any bacteria that are present. Then simply clean up any splashes and wash your hands with soap and hot water.
Press release from Drexel University
Download Our Social Media Toolkit for EducatorsTo learn more, explore the four mini dramas or the fotonovelas below.
Mini Drama | Stir-Fry Chicken
Cooking Demo | Stir-Fry Chicken
Mini Drama | Oven Fried Chicken
Cooking Demo | Oven Fried Chicken
Mini Drama |Chicken Mole
Cooking Demo |Chicken Mole
Mini Drama | Lemon Roasted Chicken
Cooking Demo | Lemon Roasted Chicken
Copyright 2013–2022 New Mexico State University. Produced by New Mexico State University in conjunction with Drexel University. NMSU and Drexel University are both equal opportunity/affirmative action employers and educators. This material is based on work that is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants No. 2019-68008-29909 and 2009-51110-05853
Innovative Media Research and Extension
Email: mmedia@nmsu.edu
