Efficacy of Hydrogen Peroxide as a Bactericide in Poultry Chiller Water

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a bactericide in poultry chiller water reduced aerobic organisms by 95–99.5% with 6,600 ppm or higher H2O2, and E. coli by 97–99.9% with 5,300 ppm or higher. Even higher concentrations were required for similar bacterial reductions on carcasses; aerobic organisms on carcasses were reduced by 94% with 11,000 ppm and E. coli were reduced by 80% with 12,000 ppm. However, the reaction of H2O2 with catalase from the blood resulted in a bleached and bloated carcass which would be commercially undesirable for fresh or frozen retail sales, but may not be objectionable when used for deboned meat. Copyright © 1983, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved