My husband washes chicken before cooking, following his family's tradition. I worry about bacteria spread, making me uneasy. Thoughts?

There's a long-standing culinary debate that might appear trivial to some but has significant implications for food safety: should you wash chicken before cooking it? Many families, like my husband's, follow the tradition of rinsing poultry under the tap before it hits the pan. While this practice is rooted in family habits, possibly passed down through generations, it’s important to scrutinize the potential consequences.

The main concern here revolves around the spread of bacteria, such as campylobacter and salmonella, which are commonly found on raw chicken. The intent behind washing chicken is often to clean it, but it could inadvertently spread bacteria around the kitchen, contaminating utensils, surfaces and other foods. This risk makes me uneasy every time cooking begins, setting the stage for a culinary conundrum I hope to untangle.

The core of the argument against washing chicken is the risk of cross-contamination. When you wash raw chicken, water can splash bacteria up to three feet away, even though you might not see it happening. This means that bacteria can land on other food items, kitchenware, and surfaces — essentially turning your kitchen into a playground for pathogens.

Here are some important points to consider:

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against washing raw chicken. According to them, any bacteria that might be present on the chicken will be destroyed during the cooking process, provided the chicken is brought to the correct temperature.

2. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also warns against the washing of raw poultry for similar reasons. They maintain that proper cooking is sufficient to eliminate any bacteria.

3. The washing of raw chicken is particularly problematic when considering kitchen equipment. Sinks, faucets, and cutting boards can become sites of bacterial transfer and may not always be immediately cleaned after chicken is washed.

4. A study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that participants who washed raw poultry had more bacteria in their sinks afterward. Even after cleaning, some sinks still tested positive for bacteria.

5. Not just surfaces, other foods can also become contaminated if they are nearby when the chicken is washed. This raises the risk of foodborne illnesses if those foods are not cooked to temperatures high enough to kill the bacteria.

So how do we reconcile cherished family traditions with modern food safety practices? The key lies in communication and education. It's important to understand why such practices were initiated in the first place and then discuss how current scientific understanding can help us evolve those practices for the better.

If a family tradition involves washing chicken, it could have originated from two places: either a time when the conditions of chicken production were far different, or from a cultural perspective where cleaning food is considered a necessary step before cooking. It's worthwhile discussing these origins and looking at how times and food safety standards have changed. Engaging in an open dialogue with your family can be a respectful and effective way to introduce new practices that prioritize health without dismissing valued traditions.

Washing hands, kitchen surfaces, and utensils with hot soapy water before and after handling raw chicken can help minimize the risk of cross-contamination. Additionally, using separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods is a practical step that can easily be implemented into any cooking routine, honoring tradition while keeping everyone safe.

In the end, the decision to wash chicken or not is a personal one, influenced by family beliefs and practices. However, armed with the latest information on food safety from trusted sources like the CDC and USDA, one can make an informed decision that bridges the gap between tradition and safety. It’s about adapting to change, one that doesn't disregard legacy but instead seeks to protect and preserve the health of everyone at the dinner table.