Many people have the habit of washing raw chicken before cooking, because it is considered to eliminate germs and bacteria in chicken meat. In fact, this habit should actually be avoided because it can cause health problems.
You need to know that washing raw chicken does not eliminate germs at all. This actually risks spreading germs to the surface of cooking utensils and kitchen utensils and putting you at risk for diseases, such as food poisoning.
Dangers of Washing Raw Chicken
There are various types of germs found in chicken meat, and one of them is Campylobacter. Bacterial infection Campylobacter can cause symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and feeling weak.
This infection can be dangerous if it occurs in children, the elderly, or people with weak immune systems, such as people with HIV, cancer, or malnutrition.
If not treated properly, bacterial infection Campylobacter can cause various dangerous complications, such as:
- Infections of the bones and joints (septic arthritis)
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) or pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Sepsis
- Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
Bacterial infection Campylobacter can also cause severe diarrhea so that the sufferer is at risk of becoming dehydrated. If it occurs in pregnant women, this bacterial infection can even cause miscarriage.
Therefore, if you experience symptoms of a bacterial infection, Campylobacter after consuming chicken meat or other foods that are less clean, immediately see a doctor for treatment.
Tips for Managing Raw Chicken
Chicken meat is a nutritious food choice because it contains a lot of protein, fat, B vitamins, choline, and iron, which are good for body health. However, you need to process chicken meat properly so as not to cause health problems.
The following are some tips for processing and storing raw chicken meat:
1. Wash hands before and after processing chicken meat
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after touching raw chicken and cooking utensils. This is important to do to prevent the transmission of germs from chicken meat into the body
2. Avoid washing chicken meat
Avoid washing raw chicken with water, because all the bacteria on the chicken will die during the cooking process. Washing meat will only increase the risk of spreading bacteria which can actually cause health problems.
3. Separate cooking utensils for meat and vegetables or fruits
You are advised to have your own cooking utensils to process raw chicken meat. When cutting chicken, also try to use a different knife and cutting board so that germs from the meat don't spread to other foodstuffs.
4. Cook the chicken until cooked
As much as possible, make sure you cook raw chicken until it's fully cooked. Do not leave the meat that is still pink. To make sure the chicken meat is cooked, you can cut it and see the color and liquid that comes out of the chicken meat.
The clear liquid and the white color of the chicken meat are signs that the chicken is fully cooked. This step is important to do to reduce the risk of various diseases, such as diarrhea and typhus, due to consuming undercooked chicken meat.
5. Pay attention to how to store chicken meat
Storage of raw chicken meat must also be considered. Get used to always store chicken meat in a clean and closed container. If you want to thaw frozen chicken, it's better to thaw it in the fridge than leave it in the kitchen area.
You can also thaw frozen chicken by soaking it in cold water, if the meat was stored in a plastic bag.
Raw chicken usually lasts 2-3 days. However, if it emits an unpleasant odor, this is a sign that the meat is rotten and unfit for consumption.
Washing food, such as raw chicken, doesn't always get rid of germs. Several studies so far have shown that washing raw chicken meat actually risks spreading the bacteria found in chicken meat.
Therefore, do not wash raw chicken and make sure to cook the chicken thoroughly before consuming it. If you experience certain symptoms, such as fever, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, after consuming chicken meat, immediately consult a doctor for treatment.
