Washing chicken or poultry before cooking could do more harm than good according to research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Chicken thighs were spiked with a non-toxic substance used as a substitute for bacteria, and people were observed as they washed chicken in a kitchen.
Janice López-Muñoz of the USDA tells WAMC’s Brian Shields that cross contamination was widespread on surfaces, nearby food and on the hands.
