09/11/2025
Many people believe they should rinse or wash raw chicken under the tap before cooking it to remove bacteria and make it "cleaner."
The Reality: DON'T Wash Raw Chicken!
Why washing is dangerous:
When you rinse raw chicken under running water, you're not killing bacteria - you're actually spreading it. The water spray creates tiny droplets that can carry bacteria like Campylobacter and Salmonella up to a metre away from your sink. These contaminated droplets land on:
Your kitchen counters
-Nearby utensils and dishes
-Dish towels
-Your clothes
-Other foods
-Taps and sink handles
This process, called cross-contamination, significantly increases your risk of food poisoning rather than reducing it.
The bacteria can't be washed off anyway:
Water alone doesn't kill bacteria - only proper cooking does. Any bacteria on the surface of the chicken will be destroyed when you cook it to the safe internal temperature of 75°C.
What You Should Do Instead
✅ Take chicken straight from the package to the pan or baking dish - no rinsing needed
✅ Pat dry with paper towel if needed (then immediately discard the paper towel)
✅ Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling raw chicken
✅ Clean and sanitize any surfaces, cutting boards, and utensils that touched the raw chicken with hot soapy water or a sanitizing solution
✅ Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 75°C internally - this kills all harmful bacteria
