Raw Chicken Safety: Keep It Separate and Skip the Rinse

Raw chicken can spread bacteria around the kitchen

Raw chicken and its juices can carry bacteria. If they reach salad, cooked food, a cutting board, or a utensil that will be used without washing, germs can spread to food that will not be cooked again. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends separating raw poultry from other foods and washing hands and surfaces after handling it.

Do not rinse raw chicken

Washing or rinsing raw poultry does not make it safe to eat. Water can splash bacteria onto the sink, counter, nearby dishes, and ready-to-eat ingredients. Cooking poultry to a safe internal temperature is the step that destroys harmful bacteria. Skip rinsing and follow package directions for preparation.

A cleaner workflow

1. Keep raw chicken sealed and on a plate or tray on the lowest refrigerator shelf to contain leaks.

2. Prepare vegetables and other ready-to-eat ingredients first, using clean equipment.

3. Use a separate cutting board and utensils for raw poultry, or wash and sanitize them before using them with other foods.

4. Wash hands with soap and water after touching raw chicken or its packaging.

5. Clean and sanitize surfaces that may have been contaminated.

6. Cook all poultry to 165 F, measured with a food thermometer in the thickest part.

Do not place cooked chicken on a plate that held it raw unless the plate has been washed. Refrigerate leftovers promptly. If raw juices spill, clean the area before preparing anything else.

Food-safety steps are especially important when preparing meals for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems, who may be at higher risk from foodborne illness. When in doubt, follow current USDA guidance and discard food that may have been contaminated or held unsafely.

Sources and further reading

• Chicken from Farm to Table, USDA FSIS
• Washing Food: Does It Promote Food Safety?, USDA FSIS
• Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart, USDA FSIS

Health disclaimer

This article is for general education only. Its information and suggestions are not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and may not be right for everyone. Ask a qualified health professional for advice that fits your health, medications, and needs before changing your diet, exercise, supplement use, or care.