Can Washing Raw Chicken Cause Food Poisoning?

Don't wash your chicken before cooking! A new study in the UK found that washing raw chicken leads to the spread of campylobacter bacteria, which may cause food poisoning. This is because the water can be easy splashed and spread onto hands, utensils, cutting boards, and cooking surfaces. Symptoms of the food poisoning are diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, and fever. In rare cases the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection, especially in those with compromised immune systems.