Avoid Washing Your Turkey, for Thanksgiving Dinner.<br />There are a few ways to cook a turkey, but many health agencies warn not to wash it beforehand.<br />Instead, they say drain liquid from the packaging and then pat the turkey down with paper towels.<br />Be sure to also throw the packaging out after removing the turkey.<br />When done with preparation, wash your hands with hot water and soap.<br />Besides turkey, the USDA recommends not washing other types of raw meat before cooking.<br />This includes beef, pork and poultry.<br />The bacteria in raw meat <br />and its juices is why the USDA <br />recommends to avoid washing.<br />Doing so risks <br />the bacteria spreading to <br />other food items and utensils.<br />You can’t wash off bacteria with water, and rinsing out the turkey risks splashing its juices all over the sink, Consumer Reporters nutritionist <br />Amy Keating, R.D., via food safety memo
