Can Chicken Be a Little Pink? A Comprehensive Guide to Safe Poultry Cooking Techniques
– The USDA recommends cooking poultry, including chicken, to an internal temperature of 165°F.
– Clear juices indicate that the chicken is fully cooked, while red or pinkish juices may mean that it needs more cooking time.
– Observing just the exterior color of the meat can be misleading and may not indicate if it is properly cooked.
– Cooking chicken without a thermometer can be risky.
– Eating undercooked chicken can lead to foodborne illness or infection.
– Raw chicken is riddled with bacteria, including Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Clostridium perfringens.
– Undercooked chicken can still contain harmful bacteria present in the juices.
– The CDC estimates that 1 in 25 packages of chicken contains Salmonella.
– It is not safe to eat even slightly undercooked chicken, so it is best to cook it thoroughly.