To get rid of any bacteria on meat, poultry, or seafood, you should rinse off the juices with water first.

Rinsing raw meat, poultry, or seafood does not reliably remove bacteria. Water can splash contaminated juices onto the sink, counters, and nearby food, spreading bacteria instead. Cooking the food to a safe internal temperature is the effective way to kill harmful bacteria, so the statement is a myth.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.