- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
Salmonella – which Dr. Quinlan says you should basically just assume is on your raw chicken – can cause these symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Severe dehydration (which can result in hospitalization for children or the elderly)
- Reactive arthritis
Who would’ve thought that washing raw chicken could be so serious?
How To Properly Handle Bacteria On Raw Chicken
According to Dr. Quinlan’s study – which was funded by the USDA – you’re much better off not washing your chicken at all. Instead, just cook it to a minimum internal temperature of 165º F. This will kill any bacteria you’ve got to worry about.
Of course, you still need to be careful about the surfaces that come into contact with the raw chicken. Clean those areas regularly and keep the meat away from other foods.
According to the Drexel University study, 90% of people wash their raw chicken before cooking it. That’s a lot of people who need to hear the truth!
That’s why Dr. Quinlan and co. have put together the “Don’t Wash Your Chicken” campaign! Have a look at the video below for more information on the campaign and be sure to share this post with your friends!
Sources:
Drexel University, YouTube
Drexel University
About.com
