Re: ........ poultry should not be washed or rinsed ?????

[Guest guest]

Sounds like a dangerous mistake. Perhaps poorly phrased or incomplete advice.

Poultry is notorious for bacteria. Care in handling and adequate cooking

time/temperature seems a no-brainer.

JR

-----Original Message-----

From: Rodney [mailto:perspect1111@...]

Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 10:05 AM

Subject: [ ] " ........ poultry should not be washed or

rinsed " ?????

Hi folks:

Can anyone explain the above quotation from:

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/healthextra/default.asp?index=11984

???

Rodney.

[Guest guest]

My conclusion is that it must be an editorial mistake and should read:

" Meat and Poultry SHOULD be washed or rinsed "

At least I always do and don't plan on changing that..........

on 2/7/2005 11:04 AM, Rodney at perspect1111@... wrote:

>

> Hi folks:

>

> Can anyone explain the above quotation from:

>

> http://www.clevelandclinic.org/healthextra/default.asp?index=11984

>

> ???

>

> Rodney.

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

I have left a recorded message at the Cleveland Clinic. If they

reply I will report what they say.

Rodney.

>

> >

> > Hi folks:

> >

> > Can anyone explain the above quotation from:

> >

> > http://www.clevelandclinic.org/healthextra/default.asp?index=11984

> >

> > ???

> >

> > Rodney.

[Guest guest]

FWIW, I have since reflected on what I " do " , rather than what I " say " , and in

fact my current practice does not include washing

poultry. I purchase pre-butchered (skinless) cutlets, and only touch the

uncooked poultry with a single utensil which I immediately

place in dishwasher. While I know some prefer to rinse under cold running water,

I personally prefer to handle as little as possible

to prevent opportunity for physical contact/transmission.

I do not offer this as advice, just what I do currently. FWIW if I purchase with

skin, I obviously must handle as I routinely remove

skin before cooking. In which case I am careful to clean hands and not reuse

utensils.

JR

-----Original Message-----

From: Rodney [mailto:perspect1111@...]

Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 11:12 AM

Subject: [ ] Re: " ........ poultry should not be washed or

rinsed " ?????

Hi folks:

I have left a recorded message at the Cleveland Clinic. If they

reply I will report what they say.

Rodney.

[Guest guest]

The quote comes directly from the government's guidelines. There are

two points of view:

1) You can contaminate the meat more by handling it and washing it

than by cooking it straight from the wrapper.

2) Your hands can get contaminated with any bacteria that is on the

meat. The bacteria in your hands can then make you sick.

I think that the 2nd possibility is the reason for the advice. In the

first case, the bacteria will be killed by cooking. In the second

case there is nothing that will kill the bacteria in your hands.

Tony

==========================

http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/do

cument/html/executivesummary.htm

FOOD SAFETY

Key Recommendations

* To avoid microbial foodborne illness:

o Clean hands, food contact surfaces, and fruits and

vegetables. Meat and poultry should not be washed or rinsed.

o Separate raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat foods while

shopping, preparing, or storing foods.

o Cook foods to a safe temperature to kill microorganisms.

o Chill (refrigerate) perishable food promptly and defrost

foods properly.

o Avoid raw (unpasteurized) milk or any products made from

unpasteurized milk, raw or partially cooked eggs or foods containing

raw eggs, raw or undercooked meat and poultry, unpasteurized juices,

and raw sprouts.