03 September 2025
Don’t be chicken when it comes to food safety
There’s no doubt that chicken is one of New Zealand’s favourite foods.
We love it fried, roasted and cooked on the BBQ.
Despite our love of chicken, Kiwis throw away 3,400 tonnes of poultry every year – and that’s NOT including chicken bones. That’s over $40 million of chicken going to waste.
Chicken is often linked to food poisoning, so it is no surprise that at times we are overcautious when it comes to eating it.
We’ve answered the most common questions about chicken so you can be confident that it will be safe to eat.
How do I keep my chicken cold when I buy it?
If chicken rises above 5⁰C it is at risk of developing harmful bacteria, so it is important to keep it cold, especially during your trip home from the supermarket. Wrap your chicken in a paper bag (so it doesn’t drip onto your other food) and pack it next to your other cold items. If you have a long journey home, take a chiller bag and ice pack. Refrigerate it as soon as you get home.
Can I eat it after its Use By date?
Fresh chicken should never be eaten past its use-by date—this is a strict safety deadline, not just a quality guide. Eating chicken after this date can put you at risk of foodborne illness.
Freezing option: If you freeze your chicken before or on the use-by date, it will remain safe to eat later. Once frozen, the use-by date no longer applies, but you should label the package with the freezing date. For best quality, aim to use frozen chicken within 6 months (MPI – is this safe to eat).
Tip: If you’re not sure when you’ll cook your chicken, it’s always safest to freeze it rather than leaving it in the fridge. Thaw chicken safely in the fridge (never on the bench) before cooking.
How do I defrost chicken?
Chicken ideally needs to be defrosted in the fridge. Allow 10-12 hours per kilo. Make sure you put it on a plate or in a container so that the chicken juices can’t drip onto other food. If you are defrosting a whole chicken, it may take more than a day to defrost in the fridge, so plan ahead. You can also defrost chicken in a microwave—but if you do, it must be cooked immediately after thawing, as some parts of the meat may begin cooking during the defrost cycle.
Should I wash my chicken?
No—never wash raw chicken.
Raw chicken in New Zealand can contain Campylobacter, a common bacterium that causes foodborne illness. Washing chicken does not remove bacteria, but it can spread germs through splashing water onto hands, benches, and utensils.
The safest way to destroy Campylobacter is by cooking chicken thoroughly to the correct internal temperature. Prevent illness by handling chicken carefully and avoiding cross-contamination.
(MPI – Campylobacter and chicken).
Do I really have to use separate cooking equipment when preparing chicken?
Yes. Always keep raw chicken and its juices away from ready-to-eat food.
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Use a separate chopping board and knife, then wash them in hot soapy water or the dishwasher before reusing.
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When cooking, use one set of tongs for raw chicken and another for cooked chicken.
How do I know if it is cooked?
Chicken must be cooked all the way through. The safest check is a meat thermometer:
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Internal temperature should reach 75 °C.
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If you don’t have a thermometer, the juices should run clear and the meat should not be pink.
What do I do with the leftovers?
Cool any leftover chicken immediately and get it into the fridge as soon as possible (within 2 hours). Make sure it is covered or sealed in a container. Leftover cooked chicken should be consumed within 2 days.
Can I freeze cooked chicken?
You can freeze cooked chicken. Follow the thawing guidelines above and only reheat cooked chicken once.
Is it safe to reheat cooked chicken?
To safely reheat cooked chicken, make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 75⁰C. Do not reheat more than once.
If you are reheating chicken in the microwave, you need to stir or turn the chicken to make sure that all parts are heated evenly. Keep the chicken covered so that it doesn’t dry out.
Can I put chicken in my child’s lunch box?
Be wary if you are giving your children chicken to take to school, especially in the summer heat. If you are giving them chicken, try to pack a cold pack (or frozen drink) to keep their lunchbox cold.
