<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Countless Australians have unknowingly risked food poisoning by leaving meat to defrost on the kitchen bench.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's a common mistake the </span><a href="https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/help/poultry-red-meat-safe-eating" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="NSW Food Authority"><span>NSW Food Authority</span></a><span> has warned against.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Raw red meat and poultry can carry dangerous bacteria including salmonella, listeria, campylobacter and E. coli, which can cause food poisoning.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/zone-rv-caravan-company-enters-administration/5df3f233-9c01-46db-af56-b7dd0f29d42b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Hundreds of jobs on the line as caravan maker collapses</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Cooking meat typically destroys these bacteria, but it's not guaranteed if the meat has been thawed incorrectly.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Leaving frozen meat to defrost on a bench at room temperature is the worst offender.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That's because bacteria like salmonella and E. coli grow rapidly in the 'temperature danger zone' between five and 60 degrees celsius.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/defrost-chicken-poultry-red-meat-safety-warning/679370cd-7600-4d6d-b1f5-0859b2692949" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some microorganisms may even produce heat-resistant spores in the 'temperature danger zone'.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These can't be destroyed through cooking and can cause serious illness if ingested.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's also dangerous to thaw frozen raw meat in warm water, though many Australians have used this method without knowing the risks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Like thawing at room temperature, thawing in warm water exposes red meat and poultry to 'temperature danger zone' and should be avoided.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The only safe ways to thaw frozen raw meat are in the fridge, cold water, or the microwave, according to the NSW Food Authority.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australias-happiest-workers-revealed-new-seek-survey/127606a2-1f40-4921-8cad-5cd317bd876b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Australia's happiest generation of workers revealed</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thawing in the fridge is the most time consuming method, as it can take several days for a whole chicken to fully thaw.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, it is safe and allows thawed meat to be stored for up to one extra day before it needs to be cooked.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If thawing in cold water, make sure the meat is in airtight packaging or a leak proof bag before submerging it.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This method typically takes a few hours to thaw a whole chicken, however it is more labour intensive.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That's because the water needs to be changed every 30 minutes to ensure it stays cold.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians can also thaw meat in the microwave but only if they plan to cook it immediately after thawing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This is because some areas may start to cook while being microwaved and it is unsafe to store partially cooked red meat or poultry.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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