What About Washing Other Meats?
The same rules apply to all raw meats and poultry. The USDA, FDA, and CDC all advise against rinsing raw chicken, beef, pork, or seafood for the same reasons: it’s ineffective and dangerous.
The only exception might be some specialty meats (like salt-cured or heavily brined items), but these are specific cases that usually come with recipe-specific instructions.
Final Thoughts
While it may seem like rinsing ground beef makes it “cleaner,” the truth is—it doesn’t help and could actually do harm. Skip the rinse, focus on proper cooking, and clean your kitchen surfaces thoroughly.
Following basic food safety guidelines is the best way to enjoy ground beef dishes—safely and deliciously.
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