Author: Leticia Celentano
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minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
In this practice, there is a risk that the bacteria will spread through the water to the hands, clothes, kitchen worktop and utensils.
Do not wash the chicken with water before cooking, London scientists advise. The reason is that such a seemingly harmless action carries a risk of serious food poisoning.
A study by the British Food Standards Agency shows that only half of the hosts are familiar with the proper preparation of chicken.
It turns out that nearly 44 percent of Britons wash poultry products before heat treatment. However, this can be very dangerous for the whole family.
In this practice, there is a risk that the bacteria will spread through the water to the hands, clothes, kitchen worktop and utensils.
The most dangerous bacterium is Campylobacter , which is responsible for most cases of food poisoning.
It occurs in four out of five chickens.
Every year, Campylobacter infects more than 280,000 people on the Island with salmonella, listeria and Escherichia coli at once.
In general, these infections have a favorable outcome, but can still be fatal among the most vulnerable groups - young children, the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems .
Symptoms of infection include abdominal pain, acute diarrhea and vomiting, and in some cases there is a risk of more serious health problems.
"The main route of infection is through food and drink. The most common source of this bacterium is infected birds. The bacterium is transmitted to humans through inadequate cooking, but also by washing raw chicken," said Professor Sarah O'Brien of the Institute for infections and world health at the University of Liverpool.
Elderly people, children under the age of 5 and people taking antacids are at greatest risk .
Experts recommend that chicken be stored packed in the bottom of the refrigerator , where it is coldest, and the package should not drip on other foods.