SHould you Rinse Poultry before cooking

Step away from the sink and put the poultry down.

This from the editors of Real Simple magazine (I have read htis several times in other publications as well. this holds true for any thing you get already washed from the store. Pre packaged lettuce that has been pre washed as well as veggies-you jus tintroduce bacteria when you try to wach them at home)
A. It turns out that rinsing raw poultry is for the birds (sorry!). Chicken companies go through meticulous cleaning processes to ensure your meat is as germ-free as possible before it’s shipped to grocery stores, says Richard Lobb, a spokesperson for the National Chicken Council. And, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, any bacteria that may be lingering there will be killed off in the oven anyway. Just make sure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165° F. If you want to get rid of the juices on the meat, pat it with a paper towel instead of rinsing it. That way, you avoid the risk of contaminating the sink and anything else that the bacteria-soaked water and juices touch. Simply dry the poultry with a paper towel right in its original packaging. Bonus: Drying the meat in the container saves you from having to clean the cutting board. It also prevents the seasoning from falling off and helps the chicken brown better. Always remember to wash your hands and anything that the raw meat or its juices touch to avoid cross-contamination. ―Elinor Smith, Real Simple Magazine