Do you know that an alarming 48 million people get sick from contaminated food every year?
Foodborne illness is a serious problem. That’s why practicing proper food safety can be extremely beneficial, especially when handling raw chicken breast.
In spite of chicken being one of the healthiest proteins on the food pyramid, you need to learn how to cook, clean, and inspect it properly if you don't want to get sick. Raw or spoiled poultry can expose you to diseases like salmonella, which can be deadly to humans.
If you want to learn how to properly get rid of your spoiled chicken, read on and we'll walk you through what you need to know!
How to Know if Your Raw Chicken Breast Is Spoiled
Typically according to the USDA, fresh poultry should be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days before you need to freeze it or throw it away depending upon the temperature of your refrigerator. After this point, you should check if it's spoiled.
Here are a few signs that your raw chicken needs to be disposed of:
- It feels slimy to the touch
- Its fat has turned yellow, or the flesh is green or gray
- It has a distinct sour odor
If your chicken has any of these characteristics, it’s time to get rid of it immediately. Here are some food safety training tips on how to throw away your spoiled chicken the right way!
Make Sure You’re Protected and Use the Right Tools
Safe food handling is no clean task, especially when removing spoiled poultry from your kitchen. It’s slimy, smells terrible, and can get messy if you don’t do it correctly.
Always wear clean latex gloves to cover your hands, and use tongs to avoid getting any of the liquid on yourself or contaminating other food items.
If you’re handling larger quantities, you may be dealing with the pungent smell of rotten chicken for a while. Try to use something to cover your nose like a mask, or take little breaks in between to avoid getting sick!
Put It in the Trash Immediately
When disposing of your chicken breasts, always put them in a heavy-duty garbage bag. Seal your bag tightly so the smell doesn’t spread to other areas.
It’s highly recommended that you also seal the trash bin as well as you can. Leaving your bag exposed can attract flies, animals, and other unwanted visitors!
Thoroughly Wash Your Hands And Sanitize Everything
After you’re finished getting rid of your chicken breast, make sure to clean, and sanitize everything your spoiled chicken has come into contact with.
Wash your hands and other affected areas with soap and hot water thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. That way, you can kill off any lingering bacteria from the chicken.
Food Safety Is a Lifesaving Skill
Knowing how to properly handle raw chicken breast and other spoiled food can potentially save your life.
A foodborne illness can happen to anyone. If you follow these tips to handle it correctly, you’ll have a cleaner kitchen and help reduce the chance of getting sick.
If you want to learn more about food safety training, check out our food safety classes.