healthy eating: should you wash your chicken before cooking?

there is debate around washing the chicken itself before cooking. research from drexel university in philadelphia found that washing chicken before cooking is a common practice in various communities. proponents say rinsing poultry off in the sink, or using soap or even vinegar to disinfect the meat, before putting it on the pan reduces the risk of salmonella.

should we be washing chicken?

drexel even set up what it calls an official “ don’t wash your chicken” website , with information and facts around the dangers of washing chicken.

health canada recommends cooking pieces of chicken (thighs, breast, chicken strips) to an internal temperature of at least 74°c (165°f), and whole chicken to an internal temperature of 82°c (180°f). this should kill the most common pathogens found on chicken.

where did the idea of washing chicken come from?

“fifty to 75 years ago, chicken was processed differently,” quinlan explained to inverse . “maybe you did need to wash something off — maybe there were still feathers there or something.”

the modern culprit could also be the 2001 edition of mastering the art of french cooking: volume 1 . the 40th anniversary edition of the book, originally published in 1961, included some distinct information about chicken cleanliness.

the author, julia child was among the most famous chefs on earth and was considered a mainstay for many home cooks. her influence has had considerable sway on at-home cooking practices.

what does salmonella do?

salmonella is a bacteria that can disturb the intestinal tract, according to mayo clinic . the bacterium is usually spread through animal feces, and humans usually become infected through contaminated food or water.

how should i be prepping my chicken?

it is recommended to use a separate cutting board for chicken, or to wash it thoroughly before using the board for other foods. the same goes for knives, bowls, or anything else that may come into contact with raw meat. cooks should also wash their hands thoroughly after handling the meat.

it is best to avoid cutting chicken on a wooden cutting board, since wood and other porous materials can actually absorb the raw chicken juice and spread it long after you’ve finished cooking.

salmonella is not exclusively related to chicken. earlier this year, more than 100 people across five provinces were infected after eating contaminated frozen corn .