“Don’t Wash The Turkey” Says NC State Food Safety Researcher
Some kitchen traditions are best avoided if we want to avoid foodborne illness. One of those is the idea that you need to wash or rinse your poultry before cooking it. To start, do not wash the turkey. Washing can splash potentially contaminated droplets and juices onto the countertop and nearby utensils and ready-to-eat foods. An even greater concern is that washing the bird will contaminate the sink and, if not cleaned and sanitized properly, pose a significant cross-contamination risk.