Chook Me!

Why do you not rinse meat or poultry in water?

I'm doing a health project and came across an article that says "Do not rinse meat or poultry". Why are you not supposed to do that? What effect does it have on the meat?

Public Comments

1. It doesn't have effect on the meat, but some health experts claim that the water can bounce off the meat, and carry off dangerous bacteria that will splash on and around the sink that will contaminate and propagate on that surface. I don't think you should really worry that much about it, though.
2. I don't rinse the fowl but I do soak it in a mix of heavily salted water. This removes some of the "ranginess" of the bird. If one is to use it to make fried chicken it can be soaked in a buttermilk bath. As far as meat I do not soak it (beef). If can cause the meat to absorb to much water and not sear correctly. I do not know what harm there is health wise as long as the water is not used to do dishes (or the like).
3. No it's not recommended by the USDA. Cross contamination and it makes grease splatter & dish watery if meat is wet and the seasonings won't stick to wet meat either. It is just spreading the bacteria & germs around. If it has salmonella or ecoli or something else like that, your not going to wash it off, washing it will just get it all over everything else by drops of water, touching other stuff. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Does_Washing_Food_Promote_Food_Safety/index.asp Historically, we equate washing to cleanliness. We wash clothes, linens, cars, dishes, and ourselves. So, it is logical that many people believe meat and poultry can be made cleaner and safer by washing it. Is this true? Does washing meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, and vegetables make them safer to eat? Cross-Contamination Washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb, or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces. We call this cross-contamination. Hand washing after handling raw meat or poultry or its packaging is a necessity because anything you touch afterwards could become contaminated. In other words, you could become ill by picking up a piece of fruit and eating it after handling raw meat or poultry. Practice good hand washing before and after handling raw foods as well as when using the bathroom, changing diapers, tending to a sick person, blowing your nose, sneezing and coughing, and after petting animals. It is important to prevent cross-contamination from raw meat or poultry juices by washing counter tops and sinks with hot, soapy water. If desired, you may sanitize with a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Packaging materials from raw meat or poultry also can cause cross-contamination. Never reuse them with other food items. These and other disposable packaging materials, such as foam meat trays, egg cartons, or plastic wraps, should be discarded.
4. i always rinse chicken. its slimy and its gross. i totally sanitize everything after i cook any meat. idk why anyone would say that it would effect the meat. i also dry the meat before cooking it too. as the pp said maybe the spreading of germs is the only thing i can think of too.
5. I do rinse my poultry with water. It's slimy when it comes out of the package. I always rinse it and smell it no matter what the date says. And I always wash my counters and sinks vigorously after I handle any meat, especially poultry.
6. Just a fact.In the days of passed they use to scrub their poultry with bleach.