Cook Chicken To 165 Degrees To Kill Bird Flu

Today the government said that cooking chicken to a temperature of 165 degrees will kill the H5N1 virus, or the bird flu. But further in the article it says this;

(AP/MSNBC) The cooking recommendation came from a scientific advisory panel that said raw poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.

The department’s “Is it Done Yet?” campaign provides a range of temperatures, including 170 degrees for chicken breasts and 180 degrees for whole birds.

Raymond said that’s too confusing and from now on, the department will be sticking with a minimum of 165 degrees for all poultry.

So basically they are winging it for your safety. Keep basting your bird and cook it to 180 degrees, and go the few extra minutes to 170 degrees for other.