
For generations, people have rinsed raw chicken under the faucet, convinced it’s the right way to start a meal. It feels clean, almost like a ritual—wash the bird, pat it dry, cook it. But the truth about whether you should wash chicken before cooking might upend that habit. Food safety experts have been warning for years that this step can do more harm than good. Understanding why could change how you handle poultry forever. This isn’t just about preference—it’s about keeping your kitchen safe.