Thanksgiving tip: Leave the raw turkey unwashed

Tuesday, November 22, 2016
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- As many of you get ready to prepare a Thanksgiving meal, we want to mention the one major item that you should not wash for the big dinner.

The turkey.

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The Food and Drug Administration's most recent food safety survey showed 68% of people wash their turkey before cooking it.
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Washing the raw turkey can spread bacteria to other surfaces that are up to three feet away, which would increase the development of food-borne illness.

Apparently, washing is unnecessary because cooking turkey and other raw meats to the right temperature kills any bacteria.
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