5 Crucial Things to Inspect When Buying Raw Chicken, According to Food Safety Experts

Raw chicken gets a bad rap. And, honestly, it’s for good reason. The feather-plucked bird flesh isn’t the most appealing item to shop for or prepare, but as meat eaters know, it’s tasty. Unfortunately, raw poultry carries serious food safety risks, which can lead to unpleasant foodborne illness, or worse. Unlike red meat, poultry can’t be safely consumed if it’s raw or undercooked. 

Properly packaged, stored, and cooked chicken mitigates the risk, but it’s still important to start with a safe, high-quality chicken to ensure the best taste and health benefits. Speaking of health benefits, reading the label can also help determine which chicken is best for you. While the United States bans the use of artificial or added hormones for poultry production, plenty of brands will boast that their meat is “hormone free”—yet, all of it is!

Antibiotic use is controversial, and legal, so various brands will boast that they are antibiotic free, or more likely, not mention antibiotics if they’re used. Terms like “all-natural” also have no meaning on poultry, but organic poultry adheres to a strict set of standards, while free-range poultry just means that the animals have access to some outdoor space. None of these labels ensure the chicken is safe—it’s really up to the supermarket. 

Picking safe chicken starts with the sanitation of the supermarket. “You may be familiar with restaurant grade ratings, but did you know there is a similar process for grocery stores?” says Dru Rosales, MS, RD, LD. “Grocery stores fall under each state’s health department for inspection. Ensure that the store’s inspection is up to date, and review any recent violations the store may have had and what they did to correct them.” 

What to Inspect When Shopping for Poultry

Assuming your supermarket passes the test, there are still plenty of signs to look out for when purchasing raw chicken to ensure it's safe to eat. Here’s what to inspect when shopping the poultry aisle to ensure you buy the best chicken possible.

Be Aware of the Sell-By Date

All packaged chicken will have a sell-by date that needs to be adhered to. “You may be tempted to automatically purchase the chicken with a 50% off sticker, but be sure to check the sell-by date on the package and cook it within 1-2 days of purchase, according to USDA guidelines,” says Rosales.

Smell the Chicken  

Fresh raw chicken shouldn’t have much of a scent. An off-odor is a sign it’s going bad or has bacteria on it. Avoid any stinky chicken, and opt for poultry that is virtually scentless.

Examine the Color 

Raw chicken is typically light pink or beige. Any other colors are a red flag. “Avoid anything that has a gray or green tinge, or has an off-odor,” Rosales says. 

Check for Package Leaks 

Sealed packaging is essential for safe chicken purchases. “You should always inspect packages of chicken for any tears or evidence of leaking,” shares Rosales. “Compromised food packages give way for bacteria to enter, or spread to other foods and surfaces that it touches.” 

Opt for a Whole Chicken When Possible

Not only is buying a whole chicken typically less expensive than buying chicken cut into pieces, but a whole chicken can be safer. “Anytime chicken is processed, such as with ground chicken, chicken cut into pieces, or deboned, it opens the door for bacteria, such as Salmonella, to enter,” says Rosales. “With the 2013 outbreak in poultry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) discovered that Salmonella levels increased as the poultry products were processed into different portions.” Thankfully whole chickens can be easily and safely butchered at home to use in pieces.

How to Safely Transport Raw Chicken

The way you treat your chicken purchase matters. “If you are purchasing raw chicken when you grocery shop along with other food items, like fresh fruits and vegetables, it is important to keep the chicken separate in your cart,” says Rosales. “Raw meats should be bagged separately from other food items.” 

If you’re purchasing raw meat, keeping it at a safe temperature is essential. Consider buying meat at the end of your supermarket visit to mitigate its time spent in the cart, and don’t linger too long before bringing it to the kitchen. “Make sure that you will have [the chicken] back in your refrigerator or freezer at home within two hours of pulling it off the shelf,” says Rosales. “Bacteria grows quickly in the danger zone, so if you have to travel a distance to your supermarket, or won’t be going straight home, pack a cooler with ice or ice packs.”