The doctor received some pushback despite his warnings
A doctor on TikTok has told people they need to ditch this common cooking habit for the sake of their health.
Why You Should Never Wash Chicken Before Cooking – A Doctor’s Warning
When it comes to cooking, many of us pick up habits from our parents – and not all of them are healthy ones.
Dr. Sam, known on TikTok as @drsamuelgp, has a critical warning for home cooks: stop washing your chicken before cooking it!
While it’s a common practice for many, Dr. Sam emphasizes that washing raw chicken can increase the risk of contamination and spread harmful bacteria. He acknowledges that generations of parents may have done it, but it’s time to break the habit for good!
Why Washing Chicken Could Make You Sick – Doctor Explains the Risk
We’ve all seen the viral videos where people go to extreme lengths to “clean” their chicken, perhaps thinking they’re removing harmful bacteria. But according to Dr. Sam, the truth is, washing chicken with just water can do more harm than good.
In a recent TikTok video, Dr. Sam explained:
“Why you should stop washing your chicken. I am Dr. Sam, and this is Medical Adulting, where you’ll learn important lessons to help you live a healthier life.”
He continued, “You or your parents may have washed chicken for years, but even if you’re not scrubbing it to extremes, washing it with just water can be dangerous and unnecessary.”
Here’s why:
- Contaminating Your Kitchen: When you wash chicken in the sink, you risk contaminating not only the sink but also nearby food, like your salad, because bacteria from the chicken can transfer.
- Bacteria in the Air: Water droplets carrying bacteria can travel up to 80cm from the sink, potentially contaminating surrounding surfaces.
- Hand Hygiene: Most people don’t wash their hands for long enough, which increases the risk of bacteria spreading.
Dr. Sam then offered some safer alternatives:
- Pat dry with paper towels and throw them away afterward.
- Blanch the chicken in boiling water and discard the water.
“You shouldn’t worry about the bacteria once the chicken reaches 75°C during cooking—it will be gone,” he said. “So, wash your hands, not your hen! It’s not worth risking food poisoning for the sake of ‘cleaning’ chicken.”
Despite his expert advice, not everyone was convinced. Some followers in the comments suggested they would simply clean their sink thoroughly after washing chicken, showing that some habits die hard.
