Chlorine: Still the Most Popular Sanitizer in the Poultry Industry

by 5m Editor
1 April 2009, at 12:00am

Dr Scott M. Russell, extension poultry scientist at the University of Georgia, describes the use of chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite and potassium hypochlorite as sanitisers in poultry meat processing in the University's <em>Poultry Tips</em> in November 2007.


Chlorine in the form of sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite tablets or chlorine gas is by-far the most commonly used carcass and equipment disinfectant in the US poultry industry. The USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) allows for addition of chlorine to processing waters at levels up to 50 ppm in carcass wash applications and chiller make-up water. The FSIS also requires that chlorinated water containing a minimum of 20 ppm available chlorine be applied to all surfaces of carcasses when the inner surfaces have been reprocessed (due to carcass contamination) other than solely by trimming.

With recent emphasis by USDA-FSIS on further reducing Salmonella, poultry plants have increased their reliance on the water chlorination programme in the processing plant including pre-scald bird brushes, equipment rinses, inside/outside bird washers, carcass washes, and as a disinfectant during chilling. However, there remains a limited understanding of water chlorination and proper management of water chlorination in the poultry industry. Thus, a review of chlorination is needed.

At recommended levels, hypochlorite- (chlorine derivative) based sanitizers reduce enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Chlorine is also effective against fungi, bacteria and algae. However, under traditional conditions of use, chlorine does not affect bacterial spores. Chlorine was first used in water treatment by the municipal water treatment facilities in Chicago and Jersey City in 1908. Chlorine is used in three common forms for water treatment: elemental chlorine (chlorine gas; Cl2), sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution and dry calcium hypochlorite pellets. The amount of hypochlorite (OCl-) varies depending on the type of chlorine used. One pound of Cl2 generates an amount equal to one gallon of 12.5 per cent NaOCl, and 1.5 pounds of Ca(OCl)2 (65 per cent).

Types of Chlorine Used in the Poultry Industry

Chlorine gas

Chlorine in its elemental state is a halogen gas (Cl2), which is highly toxic and corrosive. Because of safety concerns with chlorine gas, many food processing facilities have changed to either sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite for water treatment.

Chlorine gas and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) can be produced in an electrochemical process depending on the process conditions (Equation 1). For NaOCl production, Cl2 gas is passed through sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH). The NaOH reacts with the Cl2 to produce NaCl, NaOCl and water as shown below:

Equation 1: 2 NaOH + Cl2 (g) <–> NaCl + NaOCl + H2O

Sodium hypochlorite

In most food plant applications, chlorine is purchased as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution. Sodium hypochlorite solutions used in poultry processing contain between 5 and 12 per cent pure sodium hypochlorite. Household bleach typically contains 5.25 per cent NaOCl. It should be noted that household cleaners and sanitizers are not acceptable for USDA-FSIS inspected food plants unless accepted by USDA.

Commercial forms of sodium hypochlorite are provided in a range of concentrations from 3 to 50 per cent. The most commonly used form in poultry processing plants is commercial bleach which contains 12.5 per cent NaOCl. This is the most common or popular form of chlorine used in poultry plants worldwide.

Calcium hypochlorite

Available in granular or pellet form, calcium hypochlorite is generally more expensive to use than other hypochlorite forms. Some companies use calcium hypochlorite because the concentration can be controlled more effectively than other forms of chlorine used.

Chlorine-based sanitizers are low in cost and can control bacteria in food processing plants when used appropriately. The advantages and disadvantages to using chlorine sanitizers are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. The advantages and disadvantages of sodium hypochlorite use in poultry processing
Advantages Disadvantages
Low cost Activity greatly influenced by pH (optimum is below 6.5)
Familiar – proven technology Irritating agent
Relatively non-toxic Inactivated by organic matter
Wide germicidal activity Less active at low temperature
Effective at low concentrations Carcinogenic by-products
Bacteria cannot become resistant Highly corrosive
Kills bacteria in more than one way Carcasses treated with chlorine not accepted by Canada and Europe

April 2009