“Most American and European chefs don't prefer washing chicken as they believe it will take away its flavor and taste,” he says. “But here in Asia, there is the practice of washing chicken thoroughly before cooking.”
It is not recommended to wash chicken meat before cooking. This recommendation has the endorsement of the Food Safety Information Council (FSIC). Washing is likely to splash raw meat juices and any bacteria in to the kitchen sink, bench top and utensils and washing will not remove all bacteria.
Even when consumers think they are effectively cleaning after washing poultry, this study shows that bacteria can easily spread to other surfaces and foods. The best practice is not to wash poultry.”
"Don't wash your raw chicken!" the government organization tweeted in 2019. "Washing can spread germs from the chicken to other food or utensils in the kitchen." We didn't mean to get you all hot about not washing your chicken! But it's true: kill germs by cooking chicken thoroughly, not washing it.
Chicken-washing myths, busted
Others believe washing with a slightly acidic solution (such as vinegar or lemon juice) will kill bacteria. On the contrary, research has shown washing raw poultry in lemon juice or vinegar does not remove bacteria and can increase the cross-contamination risk.
While washing meat and poultry to remove dirt, slime, fat or blood may have been appropriate decades ago when many slaughtered and prepared their own food, the modern food safety system doesn't require it. Meat and poultry are cleaned during processing, so further washing is not necessary.
“Washing raw poultry is a 'habit' for some consumers but for others it may be a cultural practice that is much harder to change,” said Quinlan.
Along with the videos, “Don't Wash Your Chicken” highlights three key safe poultry handling messages: Washing or rinsing chicken increases risk. Salmonella, Campylobacter and other harmful bacteria live on raw chicken. Washing or rinsing doesn't remove this risk, it worsens it by helping the bacteria spread.
Forgo washing chicken.
Avoid rinsing chicken, soaking chicken, using vinegar to clean chicken, or using soapy water to clean chicken. If you use paper towels to pat dry the meat, throw that paper towel or paper towels away immediately, then wash your hands.
Do You Need to Wash Chicken before Marinating? No, you shouldn't wash chicken. Washing raw chicken doesn't clean it, but it can actually spread germs in your kitchen. Raw chicken can have bacteria on its surface, including Salmonella, which can transfer into your sink, on your dishes or even onto nearby food.
Chapman said there's no good evidence that soaking raw chicken in vinegar or lemon juice kills bacteria. "What surprised me most was just how much food preparation happens in and around a sink after someone washes chicken," he said.
Natural way to tenderize
To ensure tender meat, Chinese cooks wash it thoroughly. The meat is tenderized as they rinse the meat and wring it out (via Milk Street).
Australian farmed chickens, including organic chickens, are always treated with chlorine. With organic chickens, the final wash spray lasts for 3 to 4 seconds, where chlorine is added at a rate of 20 parts per million (p.p.m.). Then the birds are put on racks for draining and air-chilling.
Use a food thermometer to make sure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Keep raw chicken and its juices away from ready-to-eat foods, like salads or food that is already cooked. Raw chicken is ready to cook and doesn't need to be washed first.
Consumers should rinse their fresh fruits and vegetables with cold water, but not raw poultry, meat or eggs, according to the experts. For decades, the Department of Agriculture has been advising against washing raw poultry and meat.
Soak chicken in equal parts white vinegar and water for about 30 minutes. This is Edna Eaton's surprise preparation.
For the same reasons as above, it is not a good idea to wash meats before marinating them, as this will increase the risk of cross-contamination and is not enough to remove all the bacteria. Instead, a person can put the meat directly into a marinade, making sure that the marinade completely covers it.
To get rid of a strong poultry smell from chicken put the chicken into a large non-metallic pot or bowl. Pour 1/2 a cup of white vinegar over the chicken and mix well to coat all the chicken. Leave aside for 4-5 minutes. Now wash the chicken thoroughly under running water and use as required.
Roughly 90 percent of people say they wash their chicken before cooking it, as recipes have historically called for chicken washing.
Also, washing chicken has been common in many cultures for centuries. In some countries, washing chicken with vinegar or lemon juice kills bacteria and removes dirt, blood, and other debris.
Washing Chicken Splashes Bacteria Around
The study clearly showed bacteria can be transferred from the surface of the chicken to surrounding surfaces via water droplets. Using high-speed imaging, the researchers found a higher tap height can increase splashing.