*A holiday food-safety reminder from an Associated Press reporter set off lively discussions after she urged home cooks to avoid rinsing raw turkeys. She stated, “Don’t rinse your turkey, chicken and other poultry. Food safety officials say raw birds often carry bacteria that can cause food poisoning, including salmonella,” adding that “Those germs are common in healthy poultry and are legally allowed to be on raw meat. Washing your turkey might seem cleaner but it can actually spread those germs around your sink, your countertop and other food.”
Her message spotlighted a longstanding cultural divide about handling raw meat, particularly within Black households where washing poultry is often considered non-negotiable. Many people continue to clean meat with everything from running water to vinegar and lemon juice, despite official guidance advising against it.
The reporter reiterated that “Cooking will kill the bacteria, but rinsing helps it travel.” Watch the video below.
As Thanksgiving gets closer, health experts have one big reminder: don’t rinse your turkey, chicken or any other poultry. pic.twitter.com/zgVLx22NXc
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 24, 2025
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She followed with broader preparation advice, saying, “The USDA’s advice not to rinse your raw poultry goes against what a lot of people were taught and what some older cookbooks still suggest. Even if you don’t rinse, germs can still spread while you prep. So, wash your hands, sanitize your utensils, and wipe down those kitchen surfaces. Go ahead and give your veggies like your green beans, potatoes, and cranberries, a quick rinse, but skip the wash for your turkeys, chickens, hens, and extra duck hens. Safe prep means a safe holiday. Happy Thanksgiving.”
As SandraRose.com reports, Black Twitter voiced frustration with the message. One person wrote on X, “Using a black woman to push an anti-black ‘health’ concern in 2025?! We are still going to wash our poultry in a bowl with diluted vinegar and fresh lemon/lime juice, then disinfect/sanitize the surfaces, kitchenware, and utensils we used after. NOW, STAY OUT OF OUR KITCHENS!”
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