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Raw chicken and mince: separate, store and cook safely

Australian FSANZ recommends checking 75°C at the centre of poultry, mince, burgers, sausages and rolled meats.

Australia · FSANZ · NSW Food Authority

Raw chicken, poultry and minced meat may contain harmful microorganisms even when they look normal. FSANZ recommends using a food thermometer and cooking poultry, rolled meats and minced or processed meat products to at least 75°C at the centre. Safe handling before cooking is equally important.

Do not wash raw chicken

FSANZ specifically advises against washing raw chicken. Water droplets can spread microorganisms around benches, sinks and nearby utensils, increasing cross-contamination.

Protect the fridge from drips

Store raw chicken and mince in clean sealed containers. Keep them apart from salad ingredients and ready-to-eat cooked food, ideally on lower shelves.

Cook the centre to 75°C

For whole or cut poultry, burgers, mince, sausages and rolled roasts, FSANZ advises at least 75°C at the centre. Check with a clean thermometer instead of relying on surface colour or clear juices.

What to do, step by step

  1. Bring chilled meat home quickly and follow its use-by date and storage label.
  2. Keep raw poultry and mince contained so liquid does not reach other foods.
  3. Wash your hands and clean knives and boards after handling raw meats.
  4. Use a food thermometer to check the centre reaches at least 75°C for the specified categories.
  5. Keep cooked food separate from raw meat and refrigerate any safe leftovers promptly.

Why does mince need special care?

Mincing and rolling meat can move microorganisms from the outside towards the centre. That makes the internal temperature particularly important, even when the product looks browned on the outside.

Australian official sources

Guidance for Australia from FSANZ and NSW Food Authority. Read the original conditions, particularly for temperature and elapsed time:

Country scope: Australian consumer advice. The 2018 USDA FoodKeeper values have not been reused as Australian safety deadlines.