Fresh poultry has a good, clean scent, free of odors. Storing Use fresh poultry within 2 days. Store poultry loosely wrapped in the coldest part of your refrigerator. To freeze fresh poultry, wrap it in airtight freezer bags and keep for up to 6 months. Thaw frozen poultry in the refrigerator before use.
Bacteria can grow rapidly on poultry at room temperature.
Cooking Avoid contamination of other foods. Before cooking, rinse and pat dry all poultry pieces. Wash your hands and all utensils and surfaces that come into contact with raw poultry or its juices before using them for other foods. Cook thoroughly before eating. To test poultry pieces for doneness, cut into the thickest part to see if the meat is cooked through to its center.