A Turkish bath is fine, but NOT a Turkey bath.

Participants: Gary Crawford and Meredith Carothers with the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline

The USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 888-MPHOTLINE (888-674-6854). You can also go online to Ask.usda.gov. The Hotline will be staffed Thanksgiving day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST.

Transcript

Splish splash, I was taking a bath.

Ah yes, Bobby Darin's hit from 1958.

Of course for me a bath wouldn't be a bad idea, but for a turkey, very bad idea.

We don't recommend to wash poultry.

That's Meredith Carruthers with the Agriculture Department's Meat and Poultry Hotline.

Now a lot of people like to take that turkey, plop it in the sink, give it a shower, wash it down good, thinking that would wash off any dirt or bacteria that might be on it.

But like the song says, Splish splash, that water can splash and splatter all over the place, sending that bacteria with it.

That if spread in multiple places could then become a major cross-contamination risk if you're then going to prepare a salad or something that's ready to eat in the same environment.

Meredith says proper cooking will take care of the bacteria on the bird, but if the bacteria has been splattered on the counter or nearby foods or utensils, you've got a problem.

You need to disinfect the sink and any place that wash water might have touched, including your hands. hands.

This is Gary Crawford reporting for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.