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Will the UK accept US chicken treated with chlorine in trade deal?

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Will the UK accept US chicken treated with chlorine in trade deal?

The prospect of the UK accepting US chicken treated with chlorine in order to secure a lucrative trade deal has got everyone in a right old flap. Concerns the UK may have to accept lower standards on imported meat as part of any post-Brexit trade deals have been rising ever since last year’s EU referendum.

What is ‘chlorinated chicken’ and is it safe to eat?

The UK wants a US trade deal — but it’s not so sure about ‘chlorinated chicken’. Chlorinated chicken, or chlorine-washed chicken, refers to poultry that has been treated with antimicrobial rinses in order to remove harmful bacteria. Washing chicken in chlorine has been banned in the European Union (EU) since 1997.

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Why is the EU banning chlorine in chicken feed?

The US poultry sector has argued the ban in the EU is not based on science, but the EU is concerned that chlorine may compensate or mask poorer hygiene and animal welfare standards earlier in the food chain.

What should Britain expect from the US on chlorinated chicken?

In setting out its “negotiating objectives” earlier this year, the U.S. suggested Britain should not expect to enjoy softer treatment than any other ally when it comes to chlorinated chicken exported from America.

Is American chlorinated chicken safe to eat?

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. Why is American chicken chlorinated?

Is chicken chlorinated in the UK?

Is UK chicken chlorinated? No, in the UK we take a more pro-active approach to food safety which means it is not necessary to wash our chicken with chlorine. Higher environmental standards mandated by the EU during the production process eliminate the need to chemically rinse chicken before we eat it. Why is chlorinated chicken Banned in EU?

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Should the chlorine ban be lifted to make chicken cheaper?

In a new briefing paper called Chlorinated chicken – Why You Shouldn’t Give A Cluck, it argues British consumers could enjoy much cheaper poultry if the ban on chlorine treatment were lifted. “US methods produce fresh chicken at 79\% of the price of equivalent birds on British supermarket shelves,” it says.