Scientists show how to wash chicken meat safely!

Both the UK NHS and the US Food and Drug Administration advise against washing raw chicken, but recent research has shown that 25% of people still do.

Washing can spread harmful bacteria from chicken to other foods or pots in the kitchen, and can put you at risk of food poisoning.

• Food hygiene expert Adam Hardgrave said: "Many people think they should wash raw chicken

• but there is no need. any germs on them will be killed if cooked well ".

• However, if you insist on washing chicken, new research has revealed the safest way to do it.

• Physicists from Montana State University say keeping meat near the tap under a constant flow of water reduces the risk of bacteria spreading.

In their study published in Fluid Physics, they wrote: "The FDA recommends against washing raw chicken due to the risk of transporting dangerous food-borne pathogens through water droplets. Many chefs continue to wash raw chicken despite this warning, however, there is a lack of scientific research that assesses the extent of microbial transmission in scattered droplets. "

Researchers placed raw chicken under running taps and monitored the spraying of water and bacteria on adjacent surfaces.

1. The results showed that when chickens were placed 15.7 inches (40 centimeters) 
2. under the faucet, drops of water were scattered 8.6 inches (22 centimeters).
3. However, when the chicken was placed 6 inches (15 cm) under the faucet

the droplets were scattered 2 inches (5 cm) away. Water flow also affected the spread of water droplets.

When the tap opened with the chicken already underneath, the first batch of water led to droplets flying.

However, when the chicken was placed under the tap when the water was already flowing, the droplet scattering was reduced.

• Overall, the results suggest that if you are insistent on washing raw chicken, you should keep the meat near the tap under a constant flow of water.

• It is also important to clean any surfaces completely nearby and keep any other raw foods out of the sink.

• The NHS advises "pay particular attention to keeping raw food away from ready-to-eat foods such as bread, salad and fruit."

These foods will not be cooked before they are eaten, so no germs that may reach them will be killed.