Washing Raw Chicken may Increase Risk of Food Poisoning

Many people may wash raw chicken in the hopes of better cleaning the meat. Yet did you know that this could increase the risk of food poisoning? 

On Monday, the Food Standard Agency (FSA) of the United Kingdom released a statement urging residents not to wash any raw chicken as it could increase the risk of bacterial contamination. In fact, health officials have found that washing raw chicken may increase the spread of campylobacter bacteria to the hands and other surfaces, as well as cooking utensils and potentially clothing via the splash of water droplets following the cleaning. Unfortunately, it's estimated that about 44 percent of people regularly participate in this "cleaning" ritual.

However, chief executive of the FSA, Catherine Brown, notes that this problem that can potentially result in serious health issues may require more than a warning to manage the issue.

"Telling the public about the risks and how to avoid them is just one part of our plan to tackle campylobacter. We are leading a campaign that brings together the whole food chain, which includes working with farmers and producers to reduce rates of campylobacter in flocks of broiler chickens and ensuring that slaughterhouses and processors are taking steps to minimize the levels of contamination in birds. We are committed to acting on campylobacter and providing safer food for the nation," Brown said, according to Medical News Today. 

The FSA estimates that campylobacter affects around 280,000 people in the UK annually and is one of the most common forms of food poisoning in the nation. In fact, the majority of campylobacter cases are caused by contaminated poultry, resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. In rarer cases, an infection can also result in reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and Guillan-Barre syndrome. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to the health issue.

At this time, the FSA is continuing to reach out with advertisements warning against the dangers of washing raw chicken. As a precautionary measure, they have also suggested that anyone who has handled raw poultry wash their hands and make sure that any meat consumed has been thoroughly and properly cooked.