Thanksgiving turkey: What the CDC says not to do before cooking a bird

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Turkey will likely be the star of your Thanksgiving table each year, which means you’ll want to take necessary steps to prepare the dish with your family's safety in mind.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising that you should not wash or rinse a turkey before cooking it. 

"Washing raw turkey can spread germs to other food. Federal agencies have recommended not washing turkey or chicken since 2005," the CDC reports on its website. "But a 2020 survey found that 78% of participants reported washing or rinsing turkey before cooking."

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The health and service organization is reminding the public that old family recipes may "tempt you to keep this practice going, but it can make you and your family sick."

The reason: juices from uncooked turkey can spread around your kitchen and contaminate other food, as well as your utensils and countertops.

"Raw turkey can contain Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter and other germs," the CDC warns in its food safety for special events and holidays post, which was last reviewed on Oct. 20. "Whether you’re cooking a whole bird or a part of it, such as the breast, you should take special care to prevent food poisoning."

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Before you handle the poultry, wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds, the CDC advises. Wash your hands again afterward using the same method.

You must also use a separate cutting board and wash any dishes or utensils the turkey touches.

"Old recipes and family cooking traditions may tempt you to keep this practice going, but it can make you and your family sick. Poultry juice can spread in the kitchen and contaminate other foods, utensils, and countertops," the CDC states on its website. (iStock/iStock)

A turkey should also never be thawed by leaving it out on the counter as it can become unsafe to consume at certain temperatures due to bacteria growth with the "danger zone" between 40°F and 140°F.

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Instead thaw in the refrigerator in a container; in a leak-proof plastic bag in a sink of cold water (change the water every 30 minutes); or in the microwave by following the microwave oven manufacturer’s instructions.

More on the CDC’s safety tips for holiday meal prep:

-Use a food thermometer to make sure the stuffing’s center reaches 165°F to avoid bacteria-causing food poisoning. 

-Set the oven temperature to at least 325°F. Place the completely thawed turkey in a roasting pan that is 2 to 2-1/2 inches deep.

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Raw turkey should never be washed or rinsed as it presents a risk for bacteria to splash around your kitchen and possibly onto other prepared food items this Thanksgiving and beyond. (iStock/iStock)

-Use a food thermometer to make sure the turkey has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F. 

-Refrigerate leftovers at 40°F or colder as soon as possible and within 2 hours of preparation.

-Reheat all leftovers to at least 165°F before serving.

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If you're wondering how long you can safely keep your Thanksgiving leftovers, read these tips here.

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