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  HOW SAFE IS YOUR CHICKEN?
Marilyn St. Hill- Super Fitness Model/Spokesperson

Chicken! A popular choice by many at dinner or lunch. High in protein, low in fats and carbohydrates, chicken has many benefits and is a very important part of many peoples diets. However, with several cases of illness and death due to meat and poultry consumption, there are some things you should know!

THE STATS
Chicken Farmers of Canada have conducted several surveys since 2005 that focus on the consumption of chicken in Canada. The most recent survey, from the 2007 CFC chicken date booklet showed that ninety-seven percent of canadians buy and consume chicken an average of nine times a month. The most popular choice being boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The study also
found that over eighty percent of canadians prepared and cooked meals with chicken at home. Bottom-line, canadians consume chicken!

CONTAMINATION
Contamination, meaning "to soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association." (www.merriam-webster.com) in chicken can be the result of various factors.
 

First, the farms. How the chickens are raised and fed plays a crucial role in whether or not chcikens will contain bacteria.

Next, preparation and handling. After the chickens have been raised, they are brought to slaugherhouses. There, the birds are rinsed with chlorine and water to remove bacteria, however this process does not guarantee that all bacteria will be removed. Sometimes bacteria can be created at the
slaughterhouse from unsanitary countertops or poor storage.


WHAT CAN YOU CATCH?
* SALMONELLA: Many studies have linked salmonella to illness due to eating raw or uncooked eggs, poultry, pork or cattle.

* CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS ("CAMPY") : Campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. Often times, chickens can live very healthy with the bacteria that can be fatal to humans.

* ARSENIC: A chemical element that is "borrowed by Greek as arsenikon, which means masculine or potent." (www.wikipedia.org)

Arsenic has been found in canadian and american farmers chicken feed. The farmers have legally used this dangerous substance to humans to help fatten up their birds.

* ANTIBIOTICS: Farmers are also feeding their chickens antibiotics to help control bacteria that could form due to the chickens being kept in crowded quarters.

For a human to "catch a strain of bacteria that was already exposed to antibiotics in the chickens gut, and that strain "learned" to out smart the antibiotics, then it will be harder for you to recover." (www.self.com)

* GASTROPARESIS: A disease that paralyzes the stomach muscles and in turn, delays the emptying of the stomach into the small intestine. Acquiring this could eventually led to intravenous feedings.


PREVENTION
Do your part in preventing bacteria from growing on your chicken or hanging around your kitchen. Make sure you cook all poultry, red meat or fish throughly. There should be no pink and the juices should run clear. Poultry should be cooked and reach a minimum internal temperature of 165* F. Always wash your hands with soap before handling poultry and wash them with soap again after before handling any other food or utensil. To prevent cross-contamination, use seperate cutting boards and utensils for foods of animal orgin. Use hot water to kill bacteria.

This season, whether you eat turkey or chicken, make sure you handle and prepare it right, happy and unsick guests will keep your holiday bright!


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