Best way to prepare raw chicken after butcher issues warning over common practice
A butcher has weighed in on the long-standing debate surrounding whether raw chicken and other meats should be prepared in a certain way, although it could lead to serious health consequences.It's widely understood, even among amateur cooks, that eating raw chicken is dangerous due to harmful bacteria like salmonella and E.coli. This can trigger food poisoning – unless the chicken is properly cooked through. In a bid to provide extra protection against these bacterias, some people maintain they should rinse their raw chicken before cooking. However, a Spanish butcher has now shared his perspective on this common habit and a better way to prepare poultry.El As Carnicero, a butcher boasting more than 30 years' experience in the meat trade, routinely posts his advice and recipes for his TikTok followers. In one clip, he outlined why he recommends against washing poultry before cooking it.He recounted an incident involving a customer who asked for her chicken to be placed in a bag instead wrapped in paper or in a tray, as she planned to wash it once home.When El As Carnicero questioned her reasoning, she expressed her desire to wash away "all the dirt and bacteria" from the chicken. The butcher then went on to explain the dangers linked to washing chicken and other meats."It can contain bacteria and, when we put it under the tap, all the water splashes can contaminate appliances, utensils, the sink... But do you know how dangerous that is?" he said.He went on to outline the dangers linked with rinsing meat, claiming that doing so can heighten the chances of becoming unwell with ailments such as salmonella, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain.Instead, he recommended that viewers make certain the meat is cooked thoroughly until the core temperature exceeds 73.9 degrees Celsius, saying: "That will eliminate everything. But please, don't wash the meat. Where do you get this from?"From a food safety perspective, experts agree with El As Carnicero's warnings. According to Food Safety Authority of Ireland, washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb, or veal prior to cooking is not advisable as it's not considered the safest approach.They explain that washing or rinsing raw meat can unintentionally distribute bacteria throughout the kitchen, potentially resulting in food-borne illnesses.How to safely prepare chicken:Before cooking:Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling raw chicken.Do not wash raw chicken. Washing raw chicken can spread bacteria to nearby surfaces due to splashing.Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination with other foods.Storage:Store raw chicken in the coldest part of the refrigerator (below 4°C) and on a plate or in a sealed container to catch any juices.If frozen, thaw chicken safely in the refrigerator, in a sealed bag in cold water (change the water every 30 minutes), or in the microwave (if cooking immediately afterward).Cooking:Always use a food thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat (e.g., the breast or thigh) should reach 74°C.Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding contact with bone.
