Black Associated Press Reporter Sparks Debates with Safe Turkey Prep Advice

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An Associated Press reporter sparked debates with her advice not to wash or rinse turkeys before preparation.

“Don’t rinse your turkey, chicken and other poultry. Food safety officials say raw birds often carry bacteria that can cause food poisoning, including salmonella,” the reporter said. “Those germs are common in healthy poultry and are legally allowed to be on raw meat. Washing your turkey might seem cleaner but it can actually spread those germs around your sink, your countertop and other food.”

Washing raw meat before cooking is an ongoing debate in the Black community. Despite the best advice, Black women still wash or rinse raw meat with water or a variety of disinfectants including vinegar, lemon juice, and even soap!

Washing or rinsing meat is not recommended by food safety experts because it spreads germs to sink and counter surfaces. Restaurants do not wash raw meat before cooking.

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Bacteria will die during the 400-degree cooking process. So washing your turkey is not necessary.

The AP reporter notes that “germs are common in healthy poultry and are legally allowed to be on raw meat. Washing your turkey might seem cleaner, but it can actually spread those germs around your sink, your countertops, and other food. Cooking will kill the bacteria, but rinsing helps it travel.”

She continues:

“The USDA’s advice not to rinse your raw poultry goes against what a lot of people were taught and what some older cookbooks still suggest. Even if you don’t rinse, germs can still spread while you prep. So, wash your hands, sanitize your utensils, and wipe down those kitchen surfaces. Go ahead and give your veggies like your green beans, potatoes, and cranberries, a quick rinse, but skip the wash for your turkeys, chickens, hens, and extra duck hens. Safe prep means a safe holiday. Happy Thanksgiving.”

Black Twitter disagreed with the AP’s turkey prep advice.

One person wrote on X (Twitter): “I’m not sure why they would have a Black lady doing this PSA knowing good and well Black People soak our raw meat in salt and rinse. We play zero games and we make sure the meat isn’t red or pink.”

Another person tweeted: “As for my Black house, not only are we washing our poultry, but we are SOAKING our poultry. And afterwards, we thoroughly clean our kitchen. Problem solved.”

A third user commented: “Using a black woman to push an anti-black “health” concern in 2025?! We are still going to wash our poultry in a bowl with diluted vinegar and fresh lemon/lime juice, then disinfect/sanitize the surfaces, kitchenware, and utensils we used after. NOW, STAY OUT OF OUR KITCHENS!”

Watch the video below.
 

As Thanksgiving gets closer, health experts have one big reminder: don’t rinse your turkey, chicken or any other poultry. pic.twitter.com/zgVLx22NXc

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 24, 2025