Handling Fresh Chicken Safely

Each year, there are 320,000 hospitalizations and a staggering 5,000 deaths due to food-borne illnesses. Avoid being a part of these statistics and learn how to handle your food properly. Chicken is one of the most consumed poultry products in the market, so most people should learn how to handle it properly.

1. When you make your grocery store purchases, avoid buying your chicken first. Buy everything else, and purchase your chicken last. This will avoid cross-contamination with your other grocery store products. Make sure that your chicken is packed in air-tight packaging and head directly home to refrigerate the meat. Keep chicken separate from other grocery items.

2. Your chicken should be refrigerated well at a maximum of 40 degrees Fahrenheit and it should always be consumed after 1 or 2 days. Chicken that is frozen at 0 degrees will be safe for a very long period of time. When defrosting your chicken, place it in the refrigerator overnight in a baking dish to catch any leakage. If you are in a real hurry, immerse it in a cold bucket of water and replace the water frequently.

3. Never touch the chicken with soiled hands. Wash your fingers with soap before and after touching raw chicken or even the packaging that held it. Never forget to wash all your plates, cutting boards, or kitchen tools that came in direct contact with the chicken.

4. Many people believe that pre-stuffed chicken is safe to eat. Never purchase pre-stuffed chicken to avoid any possible contamination. Stuff your chicken immediately before cooking to avoid potential contamination to air.

5. When cooking your chicken, the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Never consume chicken cooked to temperatures lower than this. Partially cooked chicken can be packed with bacteria and diseases. Only eat fully cooked chicken meat.