After slaughter, the chickens are rinsed with an antimicrobial chlorine wash to protect consumers from food-borne diseases. This is done to treat high levels of bacteria, a symptom of poor hygiene and low animal welfare conditions not allowed in UK farming.
Australian farmed chickens, including organic chickens, are always treated with chlorine. With organic chickens, the final wash spray lasts for 3 to 4 seconds, where chlorine is added at a rate of 20 parts per million (p.p.m.).
Washing chicken in chlorine and other disinfectants to remove harmful bacteria was a practice banned by the European Union (EU) in 1997 over food safety concerns. The ban has stopped virtually all imports of US chicken meat which is generally treated by this process.
However, numerous studies and scientific research have confirmed that the use of chlorinated water to chill and clean chicken is safe and effective. Chlorine-washed chicken does not pose any human health concerns and it is not present in the final product.
97% of chickens processed in USDA facilities are bathed in chlorine - even certified organic farms and their processors do it. You see, after a chicken is defeathered, it is always and immediately put into an ice bath. This is important.
Chlorine-washed chicken does not pose a health risk in itself, but by accepting it, along with imported chicken from the US, we could also be condoning lower farm animal welfare standards in the UK.
Aldi will not sell chlorinated chicken or hormone beef.
Chlorine bleach has a distinctive, powerful and unpleasant odor. It is an effective sanitizer but can easily damage the quality of processed foods if not used properly.
Our 100% Air Chilled method eliminates the need for chlorinated ice water, so chickens' natural juices never get diluted or replaced.
The answer is that you can't taste any chlorine. However there is a big difference in texture and flavour between “cheap” chicken and the expensive organic free range chicken. The cheap stuff is ok for curry and stew but for grilled or stir fry organic is better.
Chlorine washing just makes it impossible to detect the bacteria in the lab, giving the false impression that the bacteria have been killed when they haven't. This means chlorine washed chicken could still carry salmonella and other bacteria, which is a clear human health risk.
A raw chicken smell should still smell somewhat fresh with no bad lingering odors. (You can remove this raw smell using this kitchen trick.) If you are purchasing meat and the meat has a very clean, almost chemical, chlorine smell to it, this is a sign that it has been washed to preserve it and make it last longer.
Chlorinated chicken – or chlorine-treated chicken – refers to chicken that has been treated with antimicrobial rinses in order to remove harmful bacteria. These rinses are often referred to as Pathogen Reduction Treatments (PRTs) in the US.
All of our chicken comes from Aussie poultry farms and most of our fresh produce - such as our lettuce and tomatoes - is grown right here, as is the flour we use to make our burger buns, tortillas and dinner rolls.
Kentucky Fried Chicken's Antibiotic Use Policy
KFC sells chicken raised without medically important antibiotics. You can assume chicken from KFC is from animals fed antibiotics. It is best to avoid eating at KFC. Chick-fil-A is a good alternative for no antibiotics ever chicken.
It is not recommended to wash chicken meat before cooking. This recommendation has the endorsement of the Food Safety Information Council (FSIC). Washing is likely to splash raw meat juices and any bacteria in to the kitchen sink, bench top and utensils and washing will not remove all bacteria.
Why You Shouldn't Rinse Chicken. Raw chicken can be contaminated with numerous pathogenic bacteria including Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium Perfringens, all of which can lead to foodborne illness.
Really, there isn't enough chlorine to change the taste or cause a smell. Most grocery store chicken has been chlorine rinsed.
If bleach is mixed with other cleaning products, such as limonenes found in common citrus cleaners, these tiny particles become especially harmful. Risks from bleach vapors are exacerbated if a person has asthma or heart disease, and they could potentially lead to hospital admission or even death.
Washing dishes can eliminate visible dirt, but it's not enough to kill bacteria like salmonella. To sanitize dishes and food containers, rinse them with a bleach and water solution after washing.
Household bleach (sodium hydroxide) is not technically speaking considered corrosive or toxic, even if ingested. However, bleach exposure can cause irritation in the eyes, mouth, lungs and on skin. Individuals with asthma or other breathing problems are particularly susceptible.
Our fresh organic chicken breast fillets come from Australian free to roam chickens, organically fed and raised with access to outdoor ranging areas.
There are different types of free range chicken, but all of our Coles Own Brand free range fresh chicken is grown on farms that are part of the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme and meet these indoor and outdoor standards.
The products being recalled are: From Aldi: 690g butchers selection Irish extra large chicken breast fillets; use by date February 6, 2023; Batch number: 23027-113. 525g and 350g butchers selection Irish chicken breast fillets; use by date February 6, 2023; Batch number: 23027-113.