Don't make these mistakes when cooking chicken: It can lead to serious food poisoning

Dr. Yağmur Ekenoğlu Merdan stated that simple mistakes made while cooking chicken at home can lead to serious food poisoning.

Erdan emphasized that not only food purchased from outside but also meals prepared at home can pose serious risks to food safety.

Merdan stated that hygiene rules are of great importance not only in businesses but also at home, and emphasized that simple and effective rules to be followed when preparing chicken dishes at home are critical for protecting health.

"CONTACT WITH OTHER FOODS SHOULD BE AVOIDED"

Merdan stated that mistakes made during the preparation and cooking of raw chicken in particular could lead to foodborne illnesses, and explained the practices that should be taken into consideration from the shopping phase to the storage of food.

Merdan noted that during shopping, products should be carried in a separate bag or at the bottom of the basket in order to prevent chicken juices or meat from coming into contact with other foods, and that this practice will reduce the risk of contamination, especially in raw foods such as vegetables and fruits.

Underlining that hands should be washed with soap for at least 20 seconds before preparing food, Merdan said that starting to cook raw chicken directly without washing it can minimize the risk of contamination. Merdan stated that if chicken meat or its juices get on surfaces, the area should be thoroughly cleaned with hot soapy water.

"MUST BE FULLY COOKED"

Noting that chicken meat should be cooked completely, Merdan shared that this step is very important to eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens. Merdan said, "In addition, keeping the food in the refrigerator or freezer with appropriate temperature and time management after cooking, and not leaving it outside for more than two hours, especially in hot weather, is an additional precaution that consumers should take for health."

Pointing out that all these practices serve not only to protect individual but also social health, Merdan noted the following:

"Based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the hygiene and food safety steps that each individual will take at home will be effective in preventing food poisoning cases. When you act with this awareness, both the health of your families will be protected and safe food consumption will be supported in society in general. It is the responsibility of all of us to make such basic precautions an indispensable part of our lives for a healthy and conscious society."