Cooking Chicken Wrong? Avoid These Mistakes to Prevent Serious Illness!

• Washing raw chicken spreads harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter to kitchen surfaces, increasing food poisoning risk.
• Incompletely cooked chicken (pink/red inside) allows bacteria to survive, causing stomach issues; always cook until white and firm.
• Leaving raw chicken at room temperature for long periods promotes rapid bacterial growth, making it unsafe.
• Avoid cross-contamination: don't store raw chicken with fruits/vegetables, and thoroughly clean all surfaces/utensils immediately after use.
• Repeatedly reheating or consuming old leftover chicken can lead to bacterial growth and illness; ensure proper storage and single thorough reheating.

Why It Matters: Proper hygiene, thorough cooking, and correct storage are crucial to safely prepare chicken and avoid illness.