Washing raw meat before cooking is a common kitchen habit, often done in the belief that it removes bacteria and residue. In reality, rinsing raw meat does not make it safer, and can increase the risk of spreading microorganisms around the kitchen.
Water does not "clean" raw meat
Rinsing meat under the tap does not remove bacteria from its surface. Instead, water splashes can carry microorganisms onto the sink, worktop, utensils or nearby food, raising the risk of cross-contamination. This is a particular concern with raw chicken, which can carry pathogens such as salmonella.
Cooking, not washing, is what makes meat safe
The effective way to deal with harmful microorganisms is proper cooking, not washing. Heat from grilling, boiling or roasting destroys pathogens once the food reaches the correct internal temperature. Proper refrigeration, clean hands and surfaces, and separating raw from ready-to-eat food are the real safety measures in the kitchen.
Why rinsing can be risky
Splashing water can spread microorganisms further than expected, contaminating the sink, tap, worktop and nearby objects without any visible sign. Touching a knife, chopping board, vegetables or bread afterwards without properly cleaning hands and surfaces can then transfer bacteria to other food.
What about mince?
Mince needs even more caution, since grinding increases the surface area exposed to the environment. Rinsing it under running water is not a safe practice and can spread liquid more widely in the kitchen. Instead, keep mince refrigerated until use, cook it thoroughly, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Liquid in the packaging is normal
Liquid in meat packaging is normal and does not mean the meat needs rinsing. To remove excess moisture before cooking, pat it gently with clean kitchen paper, discard the paper, then wash your hands thoroughly and clean anything that touched the raw meat.
Good kitchen habits
- Keep raw meat refrigerated until cooking time
- Do not rinse it under the tap
- Use separate chopping boards and utensils for raw and ready-to-eat food
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat
- Clean the worktop, sink and utensils that touched raw meat
- Never place cooked food on a plate that held raw meat
- Cook meat to the correct internal temperature
