Ways To Handle Raw Chicken Safely
Chicken is a staple of the American diet, and many people cook it often. But if you are not being careful with your handling technique, you may be at risk for foodborne illness.
Below are tips to keep you safe from bacteria when handling raw chicken.
Wash Your Hands When Handling Raw Poultry
After handling raw poultry, wash your hands carefully with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Make sure to clean under the nails as well. If you prepare other food after touching chicken, be sure they do not touch until washed thoroughly. This is because bacteria from the meat can spread quickly if it touches surfaces or utensils.
Use Separate Cutting Boards for Vegetables and Meat
To avoid cross-contamination, use separate cutting boards for preparing vegetables and meat. If you have a smaller kitchen with limited counter space, consider using one side of your board exclusively for poultry products to help keep things more sanitary! Be sure that the boards are kept very clean by washing them thoroughly in hot soapy water after each use. If you are using a dishwasher to clean your cutting boards, be sure to select the sanitize cycle.
Sanitizing will kill any bacteria that may remain on the board from previous uses. Some people like to designate one knife for chicken and another for other types of meat- this can help avoid spreading bacteria.
Cook Chicken Thoroughly
Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it is safe to eat. Bacteria like salmonella can be killed by cooking chicken properly, but if the meat is not cooked all the way through, you may still be at risk for foodborne illness. Be sure that you are cooking it in an oven or overheating source at the proper temperature, not microwaving! Microwaves tend to cook unevenly- resulting in some undercooked areas even if higher temperatures would otherwise kill any harmful bacteria.
Don’t Let Children Handle Raw Chicken
Children are more susceptible to foodborne illness and may not properly wash their hands or cook chicken. Be sure that they are supervised at all times when handling raw poultry and that they understand the importance of hand-washing. It is also a good idea to keep children away from areas where you are preparing food to minimize their risk of coming in contact with bacteria. Don’t use the same cutting board for raw and cooked meats.…