5 Important Things to Check When Buying Raw Chicken, According to Food Safety Experts

What Experts Want You to Know About Buying Poultry

Chicken is one of the healthiest food choices for families due to its delicious taste and high nutritional value.

 

 

You can buy chicken from various sources, such as supermarkets or fresh food stores. Regardless of where you purchase it, being mindful and knowing the tips for selecting fresh chicken is essential.

Here are five important things to check when buying raw chicken, according to U.S. food safety expert Dru Rosales.

1. Pay Attention to the Expiration Date

All packaged chicken has an expiration date that must be followed. Rosales states, "You may be tempted to buy chicken with a 50% discount label, but always check the expiration date on the package and cook it within 1-2 days of purchase, as recommended by the USDA."

2. Smell the Chicken

Fresh raw chicken should have little to no odor.

A foul smell indicates that the meat is starting to spoil or contains bacteria. Avoid any chicken with an unpleasant odor and opt for poultry with a neutral or no smell.

3. Check the Color

Raw chicken is usually pale pink or beige.

Any other color is a warning sign. Rosales advises, "Avoid anything with a gray or greenish hue, or that has a bad smell."

4. Check for Leaking Packages

Sealed packaging is essential for purchasing safe chicken. “Always check for any tears or signs of leakage in the chicken packaging,” Rosales advises. “Damaged packaging can allow bacteria to enter or spread to other foods and surfaces it touches.”

5. Choose Whole Chicken When Possible

Buying whole chicken is not only more cost-effective than purchasing pre-cut pieces, but it is also safer. Rosales explains, “Whenever chicken is processed, such as being ground, cut into pieces, or deboned, bacteria like Salmonella can infiltrate. During the 2013 poultry outbreak, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) found that Salmonella levels increased as poultry products were processed into different portions.”

How to Transport Raw Chicken Safely

How you handle your chicken purchase is crucial. “If you're buying raw chicken along with other grocery items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, it's important to keep the chicken separate in your cart,” Rosales says. “Raw meat should be packaged separately from other food items.”

If you purchase raw meat, keeping it at a safe temperature is essential. Consider buying meat at the end of your shopping trip to minimize the time it sits in the cart, and don’t delay bringing it into your kitchen. Rosales advises, "Make sure to refrigerate or freeze [the chicken] at home within two hours of taking it off the shelf. Bacteria multiply rapidly in the danger zone, so if you have a long trip from the supermarket or don’t go straight home, pack an ice chest or ice packs to keep the chicken cold."