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The facts: Chlorine-washed chicken is banned in 1 country/region (including European Union), though the FDA still allows it in the US. We can't tell you whether it's safe for your pregnancy — that's a conversation for your OB-GYN or midwife. What we can do is show you the regulatory facts and flag Chlorine-washed chicken on any product's label so you can decide with your provider. Commonly found in: conventional chicken, poultry products.
TL;DR: Chlorine-washed chicken is banned in the EU and allowed in the US. Here's what to know if you're pregnant.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level (regulatory) | high |
| Where it shows up | conventional chicken, poultry products |
Chlorine-washed chicken is poultry rinsed in chlorine or other antimicrobials at slaughter.
It is used to bleach, preserve, color or process food more cheaply at industrial scale.
Banned in the EU, which prohibits chemical carcass washes and relies on farm-to-fork hygiene instead.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Chlorine-washed chicken with citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice and is not pregnancy-specific medical guidance. Consult your OB-GYN or midwife for decisions about your pregnancy.
Yes. Chlorine-washed chicken is banned in European Union. The FDA still allows it in the US.
That's a decision for you and your OB-GYN or midwife — we don't give medical advice. What we can tell you is the regulatory status above. Many people choose to limit additives during pregnancy out of caution; bring this page and its sources to your next appointment.
Commonly found in conventional chicken, poultry products. Scan any product's barcode to check its label for Chlorine-washed chicken.
Choose minimally processed and EU-imported foods, read labels for these additives, and scan barcodes with BannedPantry to flag them. See the pregnancy-conscious swaps below.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Chlorine-washed chicken or other ingredients restricted overseas.
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Audited products that don't contain Chlorine-washed chicken.
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