Chicken is one of the tastiest and most versatile of meats, and is great roasted, pan fried, cooked in a casserole or diced in a salad. Plus, it’s a healthy meat option.
However, it also happens to be one of the riskiest in terms of food safety. Most of us are aware of the correct guidelines that need to be followed for the meat’s preparation and cooking.
But did you know that you should never store chicken on the top shelf of the fridge?
Paediatric nutritionist and child nutrition expert, Many Sacher, explained why this is the case to Mamamia: “When unpacking groceries after a shopping trip, many of us tend to rush and put everything into the fridge where it will fit.
“When it comes to high-risk foods like chicken however, it’s best to store these on the bottom shelf, to reduce cross-contamination from the juices dripping onto other foods.
“A simple strategy that goes a long way towards a healthier family (and a perfect reason to enlist the help of older children in a fridge re-organisation activity!)”
The food expert also offered another pearl of wisdom by revealing that you should never wash chicken before cooking it. She said this is because “tiny droplets of bacteria are easily spread around the kitchen and surrounding surfaces.”
She advised that it’s best to start cooking immediately and avoid washing the meat altogether.
So if you’re currently storing your chicken on a high fridge shelf, it might be time to give your fridge a rejig.
