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Washing raw chicken is a standard ritual in many homes, but the ‘to wash or not to wash’ debate is back. Recently, creators have made it a talking point again, showing themselves skipping the sink and explaining the food safety reasons behind the change.

According to studies, washing raw chicken increases the risk of pathogen transfer and cross-contamination via droplets. The Food and Drug Administration also recommends against washing raw chicken.

On Friday, Dr Rahul Chawla, an AIIMS-trained neurologist, took to Instagram to reveal a significant health risk associated with the preparation of raw chicken.

He said that washing chicken ahead of cooking does carry the risk of spreading bacteria in the kitchen. “Most of us wash raw chicken before cooking, as they feel it is more hygienic. But in reality, washing chicken under running tap water can actually spread bacteria around your kitchen,” he said.

Dr Chawla further clarified that many people mistakenly believe washing chicken removes impurities and improves its scent; however, he emphasised that this is not the case. “The real problem is not the aesthetics of the chicken, but the bacterial contamination that is present within the chicken, which does not go away after being washed in water,” he said.

Raw chicken contains bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can lead to gastrointestinal infections in humans upon contact.

“When you wash raw chicken in running water, tiny water splashes can carry bacteria onto nearby utensils, sinks, or even uncooked vegetables, which can lead to infection,” he said.

Dr Chawla pointed out that the CDC and other food organisations forbid washing chicken ahead of cooking. It is important to note that water does not kill these bacteria; proper cooking does, he added.

“The goal is to prevent bacterial contamination and cook the chicken thoroughly and safely,” he said.