Wednesday, 20 September 2017

Some people need to be told not to eat raw chicken

Chicken sashimi (AKA raw chicken, AKA a Japanese delicacy, AKA potential salmonella poisoning) is growing in popularity - so much so that the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a warning reminding people it’s not safe to eat the uncooked bird.

The dish has been served throughout Japan as a delicacy for years, but overseas popularity has recently been growing, with a number of US restaurants adding the dish to their menus. As a result, the #chickensashimi Instagram feed now numbers over 1,000 uploads.

The FSA has felt the need to wade into the debate with the following statement:
“Raw chicken is not safe to eat – it could lead to food poisoning. Chicken should always be cooked thoroughly so that it is steaming hot all the way through before serving.
“To check, cut into the thickest part of the meat and ensure that it is steaming hot with no pink meat and that the juices run clear.
“Consuming raw chicken can lead to illness from campylobacter, salmonella and E. coli. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever. In some cases, these bugs can lead to serious conditions.”

If, I might have my 2p worth... PLEASE do not eat this. About 25 years ago I spent a week in hospital with campylobacter poisoning from undercooked chicken. Very serious - and very unpleasant! Not worried enough? How about the risk of death? Raw chicken - just say no!