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(Medical-NewsWire.com, August 01, 2014 ) London, England -- According to the Food Standards Agency, consumers are often unaware that washing raw poultry can spread bacteria, leading to an increased risk of food poisoning via the bacteria campylobacter. This is the most common cause of food poisoning throughout the world and affects an estimated 280,000 people in Britain every year.
The Food Standards Agency's advice is intended as a reminder that washing raw chicken makes infection more likely through cross-contamination – which is the splashing of bacteria on to work surfaces, cooking equipment and clothing. At the moment nearly half of people in the UK do wash chicken before cooking, but the FSA is clear that this is unnecessary as cooking a chicken properly will kill off any bacteria.
"Cleanliness in the kitchen has long been drummed into us," says Monica Kaiser, Founder of Seraphina's Kitchen. "We fear food poisoning and chicken is one of those ingredients that we are warned about, especially in regards to undercooking it. It's good to know that we can put it straight onto our baking mats and pop it into the oven!"
The FSA, which is the government department responsible for food safety and hygiene in the UK, is trying to make people more aware of campylobacter and its dangers. A recent survey of thousands of people in Britain found that while the vast majority had heard of both salmonella and E.coli, only just over a quarter were aware of campylobacter and the risk that it poses to health.
To help the FSA get its message across that washing raw chicken is not only unnecessary but also risky, the major supermarkets have agreed to provide clear instructions on their packs of raw chicken and turkey, and to write features in their magazines about the dangers of campylobacter.
"Hopefully the supermarkets will support this initiative as food preparation habits can be difficult to break", says Kaiser. "It will be much easier to get the message across on the raw chicken packaging itself. It's also reassuring to know that cooking chicken at the right temperature will kill any nasty bacteria. Using a silicone baking mat will also stop your chicken from sticking and help it to cook through evenly."
Among its own range of measures, the FSA is asking that TV programmes don't show anyone washing raw chicken before cooking.
About Seraphina's Kitchen
Seraphina's Kitchen designs and creates premium, FDA food-grade, baking mats for the home cook and professional chef. In 2014, following extensive collaboration with its customers, it launched its '5-Star Rated' Silicone Baking Mats on Amazon.com.
Seraphina's Kitchen
Monica Kaiser
+447774004590
contact@seraphinaskitchen.com
Source: EmailWire.Com 
Source: EmailWire.com
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