'Consumer Reports': Two-thirds of Fresh, Whole Broiler Chickens Contain Salmonella, Campylobacter
Two-thirds of fresh whole broiler chickens tested by Consumer Reports in 22 states contained salmonella and/or campylobacter bacteria, the magazine reports. Air-chilled organic birds (especially store-brand birds) fared best. Among name brands, Perdue's were cleanest while 80 percent of Tyson and Foster Farms chix registered for one or both pathogens. [via Civil Eats]
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5 Comments:
Yuck! Glad I get mine from a local farmer, but it's still a good reminder to make sure poultry is thoroughly cooked.
wendypchef at 10:12AM on 11/30/09
Does this really matter? I had been operating under the assumption that all chicken was unsafe to eat if undercooked. No rare chicken anywhere.
If I cook my chicken to the required temperature then do I need to worry about this?
OneEyedMan at 10:19AM on 11/30/09
This only encourages me to eat less meat and really spend the money on higher quality/local stuff when I do (I'm pretty cheap so I need all the encouragement I can get!). This also makes me extra glad that I got a decent thermometer a few weeks ago.
joyyy at 10:28AM on 11/30/09
But what does "tested for" mean? How much bacteria does it take to make you sick, and how much was found?
And as others have said, what does this mean for cooked chicken?
Did they test chicken from anyone who uses Irradiation to kill all bacteria?
peekpoke at 10:41AM on 11/30/09
The article also mentions and stresses the way one handles a chicken purchase from the supermarket until it is consumed.
The raw chicken juices within the packaging can cross contaminate other products in your home, such as countertops, faucet handles, dishtowels and other food items.
While most consumers cook their poultry to safe temperatures above 165, it is the sloppy methods of unpackaging the bird that allows cross contamination of the tainted juices that most consumers get sick from.
Be aware of poultry packaging that is torn or leaking, and always wrap the purchase inside another plastic bag (such as a grocery veggie bag) before placing it in your shopping cart.
Make your poultry shopping decision the last point of purchase prior to heading to the checkout, and keep it away from other food items.
Always keep cross contamination of the raw juices priority number one!
Arnold Ziffel at 11:36AM on 11/30/09