Two professors warn that accepting US "chemical-washed chicken" imports would make UK food supply less safe, citing evidence that chlorine washing provides illusory reassurance and masks bacterial contamination. A third reader shares personal experience of severe campylobacter illness.
Documents reveal British officials were briefed on allowing chemical-washed chicken before a December 2025 meeting with the US embassy. The Food Standards Agency reviewed US studies on chlorine dioxide and bacteriophage treatments. Despite ministers repeatedly stating they have 'no plans' to allow chlorine-washed chicken, the documents confirm high-level discussions occurred during trade deal talks, with officials noting new substances could be authorised 'with the stroke of a pen'.
The UK government is introducing the first major update to school food standards in 13 years, banning deep-fried foods and requiring higher fruit content in desserts to tackle childhood obesity. The changes will be implemented in phases starting in September.
