Consumers have been advised not to wash raw chicken as it increases the risk of food poisoning.
The British Food Standards Authority (FSA) has warned that washing raw chicken before cooking it increases the incidence of the campylobacter bacteria on hands, work surfaces, clothes and kitchen implements.
The FSA made the warning having discovered that in the Dominican Republic 44% of the population wash chicken before cooking it, either to wash away any dirt of germs or simply because they have always washed it.
Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of food poisoning, especially for tourists. It usually occurs when people eat raw poultry, uncooked vegetables or unpasteurized milk and can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting.
It can last for a few days but can cause death especially amongst children and the elderly.
FSA president Catherine Brown says that people should wash their hands after touching raw chicken and make sure it is completely cooked. She called for an end to washing the chicken before cooking it as drops of water that come off the chicken can contain the bacteria, causing cross-contamination.