Strong beef makes strong men 💪. British beef hasn't exactly had a glowing reputation these past few decades either 🥴..
Also, other countries that clorinate chicken (From Grok).. Chlorinating chicken, or washing chicken with chlorine-based solutions to reduce pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter, is a practice that varies by country based on food safety regulations and standards. Below is a list of countries where chlorination of chicken is permitted or practiced, followed by notes on countries where it is banned or not typically used. Note that "chlorination" here refers to the use of chlorine washes or sprays during poultry processing, not necessarily the presence of chlorine in the final product.
Countries That Chlorinate Chicken
United States
Chlorine washing is a common practice in the U.S. poultry industry, approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It’s used as an antimicrobial rinse, though its use has decreased in recent years (estimated at less than 10% of processing plants by some sources), with alternatives like peracetic acid gaining favor. The U.S. exports chlorinated chicken to over 120 countries that accept this method.
Canada
Canada permits the use of chlorine-based washes in poultry processing under strict guidelines from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). It’s part of a broader pathogen reduction strategy, though not as widely emphasized as in the U.S.
Brazil
As one of the world’s largest poultry exporters, Brazil allows chlorine washes in poultry processing to meet safety standards for export markets, including those that accept U.S.-style practices. Regulations align with international trade partners’ requirements.
Australia
Australia permits the use of chlorine-based antimicrobial treatments in poultry processing under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, though the practice is less widespread than in the U.S. and often supplemented by other methods.
Mexico
Mexico allows chlorine washes in poultry processing, consistent with North American trade practices and standards influenced by its proximity and trade agreements with the U.S.
Countries Where Chlorination Is Banned or Not Practiced
European Union (EU) Member States (e.g., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, etc.)
The EU banned chlorine washing of poultry in 1997, allowing only water for decontamination. The concern isn’t the chlorine itself (deemed safe by the European Food Safety Authority) but rather that it might mask poor hygiene earlier in the production chain. This ban affects all 27 EU countries, including the United Kingdom historically (though post-Brexit, the UK has maintained the ban as of 2025).
United Kingdom
Post-Brexit, the UK has continued to prohibit chlorine-washed chicken imports and does not use this practice domestically, adhering to a "farm-to-fork" hygiene approach inherited from EU standards.
Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland (EEA Countries)
These non-EU European Economic Area countries align with EU food safety rules and do not permit chlorine washing of poultry.
Russia
Russia has historically banned U.S. poultry imports treated with chlorine, citing health concerns, though this has also been tied to trade politics. Domestic practices avoid chlorine washes.
China
China does not use chlorine washes for poultry and has restricted imports of chlorinated chicken, aligning with stricter antimicrobial treatment rules.
Notes
Global Variation: Over 120 countries accept U.S. poultry exports, implying tolerance of chlorine-washed chicken, but many do not use the practice domestically. Examples include Japan, South Korea, and various Middle Eastern and African nations, where import standards differ from local production norms.
Alternatives: In countries where chlorine is less used (even where permitted), alternatives like peracetic acid, lactic acid, or air chilling are common.
Data Gaps: Comprehensive global data on poultry processing practices is limited, as regulations evolve and some countries don’t publicly specify their stance on chlorine washes.
This list reflects practices as understood up to April 5, 2025. If you need more detailed information on a specific country, let me know!