Is It True That Chickens Must Be Washed? Experts Disburse Facts And Risks

Illustration of washing raw chicken (Photo: Freepik/EyeEm)

JAKARTA - Many people still believe that washing raw chicken before cooking is the best way to remove dirt and bacteria. Whereas food safety experts actually emphasize that this habit can increase the risk of spreading harmful bacteria in the kitchen.

The Food Safety Information Council in Australia recently warned that welding raw chicken is not a safe step. They assert that the assumption that chickens should be washed before cooking is a myth that can trigger health problems.

According to research by the institute, more than half of adults who cooked whole chickens were still washing them before cooking. In the United States, surveys found up to 70 percent of people were doing the same thing, although health agencies like the CDC had repeatedly warned of the dangers of this practice.

Nutritionist and food safety expert, Toby Amidor, explained that washing chickens actually makes bacteria spread throughout the surface of the kitchen.

"Although many people think wetting meat can remove bacteria, in fact it increases the risk of contamination to sinks and kitchen tables because of the water that is splashed everywhere," he said, quoted from the Daily Mail page.

USDA's 2019 research also supports this. In the study, 60 percent of people who wash chickens leave bacteria in their sinks. After cleaning, 14 percent still have bacteria left behind.

These bacteria can last hours for weeks if they are not cleaned properly using a bleach or alcohol-based liquid.

The same study also found 26 percent of participants unknowingly transferred bacteria from chickens to lettuce leaves. Meanwhile, 31 percent of people who do not wash chickens continue to move bacteria, possibly due to contaminated hands or equipment.

Raw chickens are known to carry various types of bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, literia, and campylobacter. SALmonella, one of the most common bacteria found, causes about 1 million cases of disease every year in America.

Symptoms include bleeding diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. In vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, this infection can cause severe dehydration, bone infection, to potentially deadly sepsis.

The Right Way To Cook Until The Temperature Is Safe

To ensure that chickens are safe for consumption, experts emphasize the importance of cooking it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F or about 74°C.

USDA also recommends preparing vegetables and foods that are not cooked before touching raw meat, so that cross-contamination does not occur. Kitchen surfaces, equipment, and hands must be washed with soap after touching raw chicken.

If there is a chicken part that wants to be cleaned, USDA recommends wiping it with wet tissue, then wash your hands immediately.