CDC warns consumers not to wash raw chicken

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning consumers not to wash raw chicken.

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On Friday, the agency tweeted that doing so can spread germs from the chicken to other food or utensils.

Some social media users didn't take the advice very well, and others outright disagreed, sharing what they do instead.

The CDC responded to the pushback in a follow-up tweet, saying, "We didn't mean to get you all hot about not washing your chicken! But it's true: kill germs by cooking chicken thoroughly, not washing it. You shouldn't wash any poultry, meat, or eggs before cooking. They can all spread germs around your kitchen. Don't wing food safety!"

According to the agency, washing raw chicken can result in splattering juices that are often contaminated with Campylobacteria bacteria and sometimes contaminated salmonella and Clostridium perfringens bacteria, that can easily spread around the kitchen and even onto your clothes.

Related: Salmonella: What is it and how to avoid it

In fact, the CDC urged consumers not to wash any poultry, meat or eggs before cooking.

Instead, use a separate cutting board for raw chicken, never place cooked food or fresh produce on the same cutting board used for the chicken and be sure to wash the used cutting board, utensils, dishes and countertops with hot, soapy water after prepping the chicken.

More information on food safety from the CDC is at CDC.gov.

Cox Media Group