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Answer: Yes — Peracetic acid poultry wash is banned in 1 country/region including European Union. The FDA still allows it in US food. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: chicken, fresh-cut produce.
TL;DR: Peracetic acid poultry wash is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (processing aids).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
CAS 79-21-0.
Other names: PAA, peroxyacetic acid
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | chicken, fresh-cut produce |
| CAS number | 79-21-0 |
Peracetic acid poultry wash is an antimicrobial chemical wash applied to US poultry and produce.
It is used to bleach, preserve, color or process food more cheaply at industrial scale.
Not permitted as a carcass decontaminant in the EU.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Peracetic acid poultry washwith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose minimally processed and EU-imported foods, read labels for these additives, and scan barcodes with BannedPantry to flag them.
Yes — Peracetic acid poultry wash is banned in the European Union, while it remains allowed for use in the United States.
Peracetic acid poultry wash is allowed in the United States. US regulators have not imposed the same restrictions that apply across the EU.
Independent reviews flag Peracetic acid poultry wash for documented health or environmental risks, which is why EU regulators acted while the US has not.
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