Sophie Bennett
In 2017, a Facebook post by Morgan Jane Gibbs went viral. It featured a picture of raw chicken strips with the caption Just made chicken medium-rare chicken strips... #healthy #newyearsresolution #clean #cleaneating. The post sparked a debate about the safety of eating raw chicken and whether the post was fake. It turned out that Gibbs was trolling, but the post brought attention to the dangers of consuming undercooked chicken, which can lead to diseases like salmonella. This incident also highlighted the importance of food safety, especially when it comes to handling and consuming chicken.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the incident | March 8, 2019 |
| Twitter user | Lily (@caveofbeauty) |
| Content of the tweet | A co-worker brought raw chicken to the office potluck |
| Details | The co-worker touched the raw chicken with his bare hands and even bit into a raw piece |
| Other mentions | The co-worker brought his own deep fryer but did not use any spices |
| Reason for the tweet | To highlight food safety concerns and office politics |
| Similar incident | A Facebook user, Morgan Jane Gibbs, posted a picture of undercooked chicken strips with hashtags like #cleanliving and #newyearsresolution |
| Expert opinion | Dr. Rick Holley, a food microbiology professor, warns against consuming raw chicken due to the risk of contamination with bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter |
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What You'll Learn
The dangers of eating raw chicken
Eating raw chicken can be dangerous and lead to several health complications. Raw chicken can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause foodborne illnesses like typhoid fever and bacteremia. These bacteria can enter your bloodstream and cause serious infections. According to Dr. Rick Holley, a food microbiology professor, a minimum of 25% of chicken carcasses are contaminated with Salmonella, and up to 90% may contain Campylobacter.
Proper handling and cooking of chicken are crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. It is important to store raw chicken securely, preferably on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator, and to wrap it in a plastic bag to prevent the juices from escaping and contaminating other foods. Thorough handwashing before and after handling raw chicken is essential, and it is recommended not to wash the chicken itself to avoid spraying surfaces with bacteria. All utensils, chopping boards, and work surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly after preparing raw chicken.
When cooking chicken, it is crucial to ensure it is cooked thoroughly. Chicken meat changes color and texture when cooked properly, turning from pink to white. Using a meat thermometer is a reliable way to ensure the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Cooking chicken to this temperature will kill harmful microorganisms.
Despite the potential risks associated with eating raw chicken, some people may still choose to consume it. In some cultures, dishes like chicken sashimi are common, and certain individuals may be intrigued by the idea of consuming raw chicken for perceived health benefits or as a culinary adventure. However, it is important to understand the dangers and take necessary precautions to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Consuming raw chicken can have severe consequences, and it is not recommended due to the high risk of bacterial contamination. While some people may experiment with raw chicken dishes or integrate it into their diets, it is essential to prioritize food safety and follow proper handling and cooking procedures to protect your health and well-being.
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Raw chicken at work
In 2019, a woman named Lily (@caveofbeauty) live-tweeted her coworker bringing raw chicken to an office potluck. In her tweets, Lily expressed concern over her coworker's handling of the raw chicken, including touching it with his bare hands and not using spices. The incident sparked a discussion about food safety and office politics.
While eating raw chicken is generally considered dangerous due to the risk of bacteria such as salmonella, there have been instances of people trolling on social media by claiming to integrate raw chicken into their diets. For example, in 2024, a Facebook user named Morgan Jane Gibbs posted about eating "medium-rare chicken strips" as part of her "#newyearsresolution" and "#cleaneating". However, it was later revealed that she was trolling, as consuming raw chicken can be extremely risky.
Dr. Rick Holley, a food microbiology professor, warns that the risks of eating raw chicken are "significantly greater" than those of consuming raw beef or salmon. He notes that a minimum of 25% of chicken carcasses are contaminated with salmonella, and the figure may be as high as 90% when looking at campylobacter contamination.
Despite the risks, there are some restaurants that serve raw chicken dishes, such as Ippuku, an izakaya restaurant in Berkeley, California. The owner and chef, Christian Geiderman, emphasizes the importance of freshness and sourcing chicken from small farms to minimize the risk of contamination. However, the practice of consuming raw chicken remains rare in North America.
In conclusion, while the tweet about bringing raw chicken to a work potluck may have been a humorous glimpse into office politics and food safety, the idea of consuming raw chicken is no laughing matter. The potential health risks associated with raw chicken are very real, and it is important to handle and cook chicken properly to avoid illness.
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The original tweet
On March 8, 2019, Twitter user Lily (@caveofbeauty) live-tweeted about a male coworker who brought raw chicken to an office potluck. In her first tweet, she shared a photo of the raw chicken and captioned it: "My coworker brought raw chicken to the potluck today. I—". In subsequent tweets, she expressed her concern about her coworker touching the raw chicken with his bare hands and the potential for salmonella contamination. She also tweeted about the coworker's lack of seasoning, explaining that he intended to put sauces on the chicken after cooking it.
In a similar incident, a Facebook user named Morgan Jane Gibbs posted a picture of undercooked chicken strips on January 6, 2017, with the caption: "Just made chicken medium-rare chicken strips. They're so good can't believe I've never tried it like this before. Can't wait to dig into this with my homemade salad and veges. #healthy #newyearsresolution #clean #cleaneating". However, this post was later revealed to be a troll, as Gibbs did not actually intend to eat the undercooked chicken.
The concept of consuming undercooked chicken gained attention online, with some people posting pictures of raw or "medium-rare" chicken, although it was unclear if they were also trolling. The trend sparked discussions about the potential risks of consuming undercooked chicken and the practice of serving chicken sashimi, a Japanese preparation style where the meat is mostly raw.
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The health risks of salmonella
Salmonella is a common bacterial infection that affects the intestinal tract. It is caused by the Salmonella bacteria and commonly results in diarrhoea, fever, and stomach pains. While salmonella infection is usually not life-threatening, it can lead to severe complications in certain high-risk groups, including infants, young children, older adults, transplant recipients, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Salmonella is typically spread through contaminated food or water. Consuming raw or undercooked meat, especially chicken, is a common source of infection, as a minimum of 25% of chicken carcasses are contaminated with salmonella. Cross-contamination is also a significant concern, as the bacteria can be spread through direct contact with infected individuals, surfaces, or utensils.
To reduce the risk of salmonella infection, it is essential to practice safe food handling and preparation practices. This includes cooking foods, especially meat, to a safe internal temperature, usually 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, proper hand hygiene is crucial, as salmonella can be spread through direct contact with infected individuals or animals. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after touching animals, preparing food, or using the restroom, can help prevent the spread of salmonella.
The risk of salmonella infection can also be mitigated by avoiding contaminated food sources. This includes properly storing and handling food, keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and disposing of potentially contaminated food items during outbreaks. Additionally, individuals can reduce their risk by avoiding direct contact with high-risk animals, such as chickens, ducks, turtles, and lizards, and by refraining from touching their faces or consuming food and drinks after handling animals.
While most people recover from salmonella infection without complications, it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen. Dehydration, caused by diarrhoea and vomiting, is a concern and can become life-threatening if left untreated. In rare cases, if salmonella enters the bloodstream (bacteremia), it can lead to sepsis and cause dangerous infections in various parts of the body, including osteomyelitis (a rare bone infection) and reactive arthritis. Antibiotics may be necessary for high-risk individuals or those with severe symptoms.
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Raw chicken trends
Raw chicken has been a trending topic on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit. The trend typically involves people sharing their experiences with raw or undercooked chicken, whether it's through live-tweeting a coworker bringing raw chicken to an office potluck or trolling with posts about integrating raw chicken into one's diet. These posts have sparked discussions about the safety of consuming raw chicken and the potential health risks associated with it, such as bacterial infections like salmonella.
Live-Tweeting Raw Chicken Incidents
One notable example of the raw chicken trend on Twitter involves a user named Lily (@caveofbeauty), who live-tweeted her coworker bringing raw chicken to an office potluck. In her tweets, she shared photos and videos of her coworker handling the raw chicken with his bare hands, touching other surfaces, and even biting into a raw chicken strip to check if it was cooked. Lily's tweets highlighted the potential food safety hazards of handling and consuming raw chicken, as well as the lighthearted horror and humour of the situation.
Trolling with Raw Chicken
On Facebook, a user named Morgan Jane Gibbs sparked a different kind of raw chicken trend. In a post dated January 6, 2017, Gibbs trolled her audience by claiming to be integrating raw chicken into her diet in the name of "#cleanliving" and "#newyearsresolution". She posted a picture of "medium-rare chicken strips" with captions suggesting that she intended to eat them with a salad. The post received a mix of amused and horrified reactions, with many commenters questioning her sanity and expressing concern for her health. While Gibbs later clarified that she was trolling and did not actually consume the raw chicken, her post sparked a wider discussion about the dangers of undercooked chicken and the potential for food trends to go awry.
Health Risks of Raw Chicken
The trend of discussing and, in some cases, experimenting with raw chicken has brought attention to the very real health risks associated with consuming undercooked poultry. Dr. Rick Holley, a food microbiology professor, warns that consuming raw chicken is "living dangerously". He states that a minimum of 25% of chicken carcasses are contaminated with salmonella, a dangerous bacteria that can cause severe illness or even death. Other bacteria commonly found in raw chicken include campylobacter and E. coli. While dishes like chicken sashimi are served in some restaurants, particularly in Japan, it is still a rare offering in North America due to the potential health risks.
As the raw chicken trend continues to evolve and spread across social media platforms, it serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety, the potential dangers of following questionable dietary trends, and the power of social media to spark widespread discussions and influence behaviour.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is fake. The original tweet was posted by Morgan Jane Gibbs, who claimed she was integrating raw chicken into her diet to eat "cleaner". This sparked a series of imitators who posted pictures of raw and "medium-rare" chicken.
The post received over 200 shares and elicited comments such as "You are nuts", "RIP", and "Worse than Taco Bell".
Eating raw chicken is dangerous because it is often contaminated with bacteria such as salmonella, which can make you very sick and even kill you.
While it is rare, there are some restaurants in North America that serve chicken sashimi, a Japanese type of preparation where the meat is raw.
