Should You Wash Raw Chicken? Science vs Tradition in Your Kitchen Is washing raw chicken a sign of cleanliness—or a hidden health risk? This debate has ignited strong reactions across social media, where tradition clashes directly with modern food safety science. Raw chicken can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, both major causes of food poisoning. According to food safety authorities in many Western countries, washing chicken is strongly discouraged because water sp