A ban on chlorinated chicken has protected farmers, but it's protected UK consumers too

A ban on chlorinated chicken has protected farmers, but it's protected UK consumers too

The argument behind the ban on chlorination in the UK and Europe is that it can cover up poor hygiene standards during the rearing or slaughtering of chickens.

A ban on chlorinated chicken has protected farmers, but it's protected

Why has there been such a flap about chlorinated chicken? In American abattoirs, it is standard practice designed to reduce levels of bacteria like salmonella and campylobacter – the leading source of foodborne illness in the US, as well as here in the UK. The chlorine wash itself is not the problem. Numerous studies have shown trace amounts of chlorine on meat pose no risk to health, and we consume far more in our tap water every day than we wo…