Should chicken be washed before cooking it?

The chicken is one of the main ingredients in Mexican cuisine, as it can be prepared roasted, fried, baked, in broth, and in a thousand other ways. However, it is important that you do not wash it before cooking the chicken recipes that kiwilimón has for you; here we explain why. The dangers of washing raw chickenMany people wash chicken before cooking it; however, experts point out that this could have serious health consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. (CDC) indicate that chicken can often be contaminated with the bacteria Campylobacter, salmonella, or the bacteria Clostridium perfringens. When you rinse the chicken, bacteria can spread to other surfaces through splashes of water. Remember that you can get seriously ill if you consume other foods or drinks that have been contaminated with raw chicken, as that is where 3 dangerous bacteria are found. On the other hand, if you do not cook the chicken well, you could also get sick. According to the World Health Organization, Campylobacter bacteria is one of the top four causes of diarrhea worldwide and is also considered “the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis in the world.” It is worth mentioning that infections caused by this bacteria can be fatal in young children or the elderly. That is why it is very important not to wash the chicken and to cook it very well. As for salmonella, like Campylobacter, this bacteria is one of the leading causes of diarrheal diseases worldwide. Although most cases of salmonellosis are not severe, they can sometimes be fatal. To avoid contracting salmonella, it is best not to wash the chicken, cook it very well, and follow basic hygiene rules. The bacteria Clostridium perfringens also causes diarrhea and can sometimes lead to gastroenteritis; however, in extreme cases, it can damage the small intestine. This bacteria is found in chicken. Why should chicken not be washed?Raw chicken should not be washed with water, as it may contain the 3 aforementioned bacteria, which can transfer to other foods, utensils, and beverages due to splashes from the water flow. How to clean chicken?Before cooking the chicken, place it on a clean cutting board and wipe it with a paper towel to remove excess water. RememberRecommendations before cooking chickenPlace the chicken inside a clean, well-sealed bag to prevent juices from contaminating other foods.Wash your hands before and after handling raw chicken.Use a cutting board only for chicken to avoid contaminating other foods.Wash all utensils and containers that have been in contact with raw chicken.Cook the chicken very well; do not eat it if it is raw.Another great option to clean chicken is CitroBiox®, a product with 100% natural disinfection power, as it eliminates viruses and bacteria like influenza, COVID-19, and salmonella. So to disinfect chicken, follow these steps:Place the chicken on a clean cutting boardSpray the chicken with CitroBiox®Wait 5 minutes and you're done; you can now cook the chicken!The best part is that CitroBiox® is non-toxic and requires no rinsing, saving you time and effort in the kitchen!