Warning Against Washing Chicken and Eggs Before Cooking Ahead of Ramadan
As Ramadan approaches, Dr. Rana Ghiloufi, a specialist in food safety and quality and head of the food technology laboratory at the National Zouhair Kallel Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, warns against a common but dangerous practice: washing chicken and eggs before cooking. In an interview with the TAP agency, aimed at raising consumer awareness about good food practices during the holy month, Dr. Ghiloufi explained that numerous scientific studies have shown that washing these foods with water can contaminate the entire kitchen, including walls, ceilings, and other surfaces, often without being noticed. According to her, complete cooking of eggs and meat is sufficient to eliminate all bacteria and odors. The specialist recommends buying chicken and eggs only from controlled stores, prioritizing packaged products, and never using eggs soiled by poultry droppings. Dr. Ghiloufi recalls that the Salmonella bacterium is one of the main causes of severe food poisoning. Every year, it affects millions of children worldwide, causing severe diarrhea, fever, and dehydration, and can lead to death or serious complications such as meningitis or septicemia if left untreated. These recommendations reinforce the importance of simple but essential gestures to protect family health, particularly during periods of high consumption of meat and seafood, such as Ramadan. Read also: Good practices to adopt for meat and seafood during Ramadan
