Woman who never washes chicken before cooking it causes heated debate

28 February 2024 , 13:05

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According to the Food Standards Agency chicken shouldn't be washed - but some people don't agree (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If you wash your chicken before cooking it - you might want to reconsider.

A woman has caused a debate online after asking how people prepare their chicken before cooking it. After seeing someone else catch serious heat on TikTok for not scrubbing their bird, she decided to ask others what their verdict was on the matter.

In the post on the popular Slow Cooker Recipe & Tips Facebook page, the woman wrote: "I was scrolling on TikTok last night and a lady cooked some chicken and didn't wash it first. Now here in the UK, it's common knowledge that washing the chicken is futile as the bacteria splashes about and cooking the chicken removes the bacteria and salmonella anyway."

The Facebook poster explained the comment section "went crazy" as people were slating the woman for not washing her chicken - so she asked fellow members of the group what they did, Manchester Evening News reports.

Some said it was an 'American thing' to do (Getty Images)

The question caused quite a divide, as one commenter said: "I've never washed any meat or poultry in my life," and added: "I'm still standing here typing this answer and I've never been sick from not washing meat or poultry ... Soooo."

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While another said: "No need to wash. Cooking will kill any bacteria. Just make sure you wash your hands and anything the chicken touches."

Other cooks said they wipe the chicken with kitchen towel whereas some claimed to just put it straight in the oven. Many people argued it's an "American thing" to wash the chicken, but one US member clapped back and said: "I'm in the southern part of the US, I've never washed mine. I have read about people doing it though."

Another commenter said washing chicken is part of Caribbean culture but warned not with soap and water, but rather with "with lemon/lime and white vinegar". They added that it's something that their family has done for generations. Other UK cooks admitted to giving their chicken a good wash before cooking.

One woman penned: "I've always washed my chicken as taught by my mum," and a second echoed this and said: "I wash it just to get a slimy feeling off and any feathers off which is not common now but still happens time to time."

In the UK, the Food Standards Agency has warned people not to wash raw meat, to reduce the spread of bacteria splashing. A statement on its website reads: "You should not wash raw meat. Washing meat under a tap can splash bacteria onto your hands, clothes, utensils and worktops. Washing raw meat, such as chicken, can spread harmful bacteria like campylobacter. Thorough cooking will kill any bacteria present."

Niamh Kirk