Don't wash chicken, it splashes bugs that cause food poisoning: Health experts' warning

It is believed that rinsing before cooking cleans the meat, but new study disprove.

We are to stop the habit of washing chicken before cooking because doing so can spread bacteria which cases food poisoning, health experts warn.

Nearly everyone rinse their raw chicken and the practice could be behind thousands of cases of food poisoning, according to the Food Standards Agency.

Research conducted by the FSA found that 44 per cent of cooks always washed their chicken before cooking.

More than a third of people surveyed said they did this to get rid of germs, with another third saying they thought that washing helped remove dirt. 

Campylobacter is responsible for most cases of food poisoning.Harmful campylobacter bacteria were often splashed on to kitchen surfaces and cooking equipment in the process.

The agency warned that washing could spread illness among those who came into contact with campylobacter.

Some studies even suggest that the bug can be picked up simply by handling a packet of chicken at the supermarket. 

The most common symptoms in those who develop illness are abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea and vomiting. But it can have more severe consequences, particularly for children and adults over 60. They are most at risk of developing food poisoning due to their weaker immune systems.

Symptoms for food poisoning caused by campylobacter bacteria will set in between two and five days after coming into contact with the germs. 

In most extreme cases, dehydration can prove fatal if not treated quickly, and can also lead to the onset of reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious illness affecting the nervous system. Despite fears about bacteria on meat, most harmful germs are killed by cooking thoroughly. 

Previously, Research found that washing raw chicken under a tap could spread bacteria up to 3ft from the sink.

While chicken is behind most cases of campylobacter food poisoning, the bacteria is also found in untreated water, unpasteurised milk, undercooked chicken liver and liver paté.

FSA chief executive Catherine Brown said: ‘Campylobacter is a serious issue. Not only can it cause severe illness and death, but it costs the economy hundreds of millions a year as a result of sickness absence and the burden on the NHS.

After buying chicken from the super market, don’t wash, just cook. And any bacteria left on the chicken were killed during the cooking process anyway.