What is chlorine-washed chicken and is it banned in the UK?
Chemical-washed chicken has been banned in the EU since 1997 but the US spray their poultry to reduce the risk of salmonella
FEARS of chlorine-washed chicken being imported to the UK after Brexit have got Brits in a flap.
But what exactly is the problem in lifting a ban on the American poultry? We reveal all on the controversial cleaning method...
What is chlorine-washed chicken?
In America, poultry is treated with antimicrobial rinses to prevent harmful bacteria.
After the birds are slaughtered, they are examined and undergo a final washing procedure where they are sprayed or immersed with chemicals on the processing line.
It is used to help manage pathogens like salmonella and campylobacter and protect consumers from infections.
According to the Adam Smith Institute, washing chickens in a chlorine dioxide solution reduces salmonella from 14 per cent to two per cent - EU chickens usually have 15 to 20 per cent.
Is chlorine-washed chicken safe?
US regulators say it is, and the US Department of agriculture (USDA) has approved several antimicrobial rinses for use in poultry processing - including chlorine dioxide, acidified sodium chlorite, trisodium phosphate and peroxyacids.
The Adam Smith Institute said there was no evidence that eating chlorinated chicken in moderation posed any risk to human health.
And the think tank argued that lifting restrictions would be good for hard-pressed consumers as a kilo of chicken was 21 per cent cheaper in the US than in the UK.
Even the EU's own scientific advisers believe there is "no safety concern".
But health campaigners argue that the use of chlorine to decontaminate chicken encourages sloppy standards during the processing stage in abattoirs.
So why have the EU banned it?
The system is strictly banned in EU member states where processors only use cold air and water.
US regulators argue that chlorinated chicken is completely safe but the EU asserts that it allows bad hygiene in other parts of the supply chain, such as on farms.
In fact, the EU has refused to accept the process since 1997 and believe in a "farm to fork" approach.
Could chlorine treated chicken be sold in the UK?
Leaving the EU raised fears the issue could enter into the negotiations between the UK and the US over a future trade deal.
The US is the world’s second largest poultry exporter and a deal with the UK could mean big business.
But Environment Secretary Michael Gove has ruled out allowing chlorine treated chicken to be sold in the UK.
He told the Today programme: "This is something on which all members of the government are agreed, that we are not going to dilute our high animal welfare standards or our high environmental standards in pursuit of any trade deal."
His comments came hours after trade secretary Liam Fox had refused to rule out its sale saying there were no health issues.
Would Liam Fox eat it?
The Tory trade chief was challenged to eat a chlorine-rinsed chicken after he signalled he was relaxed about lifting a ban on the poultry.
Speaking in Washington DC on July 24, Mr Fox described the sale of chlorine-washed US birds in the UK as a “detail”.
And he mocked the British media criticising US meat, asking how they coped when based over in the American capital.
But James McGrory of the ‘Remain’ lobbyists Open Britain said: “If the International Trade Secretary wants the public trust him, he needs to take the opportunity while he’s in the US to devour a chlorine-washed chicken live on camera. The choice of recipe is up to him.
“The proof of the chicken is in the eating. He must be the only Fox who doesn’t want to eat one.”
