Yes. On top of all the controls in place ensuring that Canadian chicken is safe, consumers can be the last line of defense by using proper handling and cooking practices. The tried and true messages about safe handling and cooking – clean, separate, cook and chill – are well-founded and applicable to this situation. Proper care and handling of food should always be followed to make sure that bacteria and foodborne illness are kept at bay. When chicken is cooked properly, any bacteria, resistant or otherwise, are killed. Everyone involved in the food chain, from the primary producer to the consumer, has a role to play in ensuring our food is safe to eat. The food industry and governments work together to deliver food that is safe to consumers. The important, and sometimes forgotten, role of the consumer is to maintain the safety of that food by using safe food handling practices from the point of purchase.

Remember these four key messages to create safer eating environments at home:

Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often

Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate

Cook: Cook to proper temperatures

Chill: Refrigerate promptly