02.04.2008

EFSA

EFSA has carried out an assessment on whether there is any increased bacterial tolerance and resistance to antibiotics from the use of four antimicrobial substances used to decontaminate poultry carcasses.
The EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) concluded that, despite a long history of use, no published data exist to indicate that the four substances, within the proposed conditions of use, will lead to increased bacterial tolerance to these substances or to increased resistance to therapeutic antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents.

The authority said that chlorine dioxide, acidified sodium chlorite, trisodium phosphate and peroxyacids, which are already used on US poultry to kill off contaminates, posed no safety concerns.