5 tips when eating chicken

FAO experts confirmed that poultry products can still be processed and eaten without fear of being infected with H5N1 if proper hygiene and cooking rules are followed. Pay special attention to the risk of cross-contamination from raw products mixed with other food to eat raw or processed by the processor.

To eat chicken safely, experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recommend:

1. When buying poultry or eggs:

- Only buy in state-certified shops on food hygiene and safety.
- Avoid buying live poultry, as bird flu can be spread through close contact with sick poultry.
- Choose fresh poultry meat, no unusual color.
- Choose fresh eggs, shells that do not have cling or are crushed or cracked.
- Canned poultry products may be safe because of heat treatment.

2. When exposed to uncooked poultry meat:

- Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when handling food.
- Wash hands well (within 20-30 seconds) with soap and hot water before and after contact with any food.
- Use different cutting boards for cooked food and raw food.
- Keep raw meat away from cooked food and other foods.
- If you cut your hands, wash the wound with an antiseptic, cover your hands and wear gloves before washing poultry.
- Scrub the sink, kitchen tools with hot soapy water. Throw away the old cutting board because scratches can be a virus shelter.
- Regularly washing rags, mops, wipes with a 10% bleach solution.

3. When manipulating eggs:

- Thoroughly wash the eggshell and hands after contacting because the skin may be contaminated with stool.

4. When cooking meat and poultry eggs:

- Meat must be cooked to an internal temperature of 70oC for 30 minutes or 80oC for 1 minute (the expression of cooked meat is clear and not pink).
- When cooking with a microwave oven, cover the meat, turn the meat to cook evenly.
- Never cook raw meat and put it away to cook the next time.
- Must boil or fry eggs until the yolk is thick.
- Do not make dishes using raw eggs (such as mayonaise sauce, peach or boiled eggs).
- Use saucers and tongs when cooking.

5. When eating poultry:

- Wash your hands well before eating.
- Warm up before eating.
- If you buy cooked meat, buy it when you are hot and take it home to eat.
- Do not leave cooked meat at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Put leftover meat in the refrigerator immediately after it has cooled and must eat within 3-4 days.
- Do not try poultry with colored or slightly different odors.