Thanksgiving tip: Leave the raw turkey unwashed

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.

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.