It's very dangerous: the mistake many make when cooking chicken, according to specialists

Handling raw chicken for cooking can be difficult if proper precautions aren't taken , due to the potential presence of bacteria that can cause serious illness . Meanwhile, experts warn that there is a practice among those who consume this food that should be avoided due to its dangers . What is this?

According to the Universidad Científica del Sur (Peru) , washing chicken is a very common practice, but at the same time, it's not recommended. Connie Gallardo, a veterinarian and researcher at this university, maintains that "there's a risk that bacteria on the surface could spread through splashing water, contaminating the sink, clothing, and other nearby surfaces."

The specialist points out that the only way to eliminate bacteria is to boil the chicken at the right temperature . "Proper cooking at a temperature between 70 and 74 degrees Celsius is the only effective way to eliminate harmful bacteria present in raw chicken," she states. (READ MORE: Be careful: These are the 6 reasons why glucose levels rise the most .)

What are the best practices for handling chicken?

▪️Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken and other foods.▪️Wash and disinfect surfaces, utensils, and hands thoroughly after handling raw chicken.▪️Maintain proper cold chain control by refrigerating or freezing chicken until ready.▪️Cook chicken thoroughly, using a food thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe temperature.

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What diseases can be transmitted by chicken?

▪️ Campylobacteriosis Caused by Campylobacter: Symptoms: Diarrhea (sometimes bloody), high fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

▪️Salmonellosis

Caused by Salmonella: Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and vomiting within 6–72 hours of consumption. One in 25 packages of supermarket chicken may contain this bacteria.

▪️ Clostridium perfringens infection

Symptoms: Diarrhea and abdominal cramps (without fever) appearing 6–24 hours after feeding. This is common in chickens kept at room temperature or improperly reheated.

▪️ Serious complications

Guillain-Barré syndrome: Related to previous Campylobacter infections, it can cause temporary paralysis or permanent nerve damage.

▪️ Severe dehydration: Due to prolonged diarrhea, especially in children, the elderly, or immunosuppressed people.