It is recommended by the Health experts not to wash the chicken before cooking; because it can spread harmful bacteria. But still, we feel awkward when cooking things without washing them first, so a safer way to wash chicken is recommended by health experts. The interesting thing is, it is based on Physics.
Physics behind washing Chicken
The research behind all this recommendation started; when researchers placed a raw chicken under a running faucet. After placing the raw chicken under running taps, they carefully observed how the water splashed from the chicken to nearby surface areas also spreading the bacteria. This is what research warns us; the transfer of dangerous food-borne pathogens through splashed drops of water. Here are a few factors that affected the outcome of this research. The height of the water fall had the biggest effect. Water falling from greater height caused the pathogens to spread for longer distances.
The researchers also found that the moment a faucet is opened, the initial burst of water sent the contaminated water spray flying. Hence turning it on slowly lowered the spray. The quality of the chicken is another factor that affected the spread. The Softer part of the chicken undergoes depression when water falls on them; this causes the spray to spread for longer distances. Thus, keeping the water pressure down while washing will be better. Additional the flow type (steady or unsteady) also affects the spray of the contaminated water around.
According to food safety researcher, Ellen Shumaker of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, "Even minor splashing will contaminate sinks with germs that can spread through contact with other foods and hands". Also, raw chicken can be contaminated by salmonella and various other pathogens (bacteria). Thus, it is necessary to reduce the splashing of water to reduce the spread of pathogens.
Reference: Chicken Splash
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