The EU is set to lift a ban on imports of chicken from the United States which are washed with a suspect acid disinfectant . American producers routinely wash raw chicken following slaughter with a substance called peroxyacetic acid ( PAA ) to remove harmful bacteria . The practice has been banned in Britain and Europe for many years because of a determination to remove harmful bugs at source , rather than using disinfectants to clean up carcasses . There are also concerns that reliance on these washes could put consumers at risk by playing a part in the creation of superbugs . However , the European Commission has signalled that it plans to lift the ban following pressure from the American government and US chicken producers . The EU has lifted a ban on U.S. chickens which are washed in an acid it is feared helps cause superbugs . The proposal has alarmed consumer groups , who say it is at odds with European policy , which has been designed to remove harmful bacteria from the birds on farms , rather than relying on disinfectants . Just last week , the chef and food campaigner , Jamie Oliver , warned that Britain and Europe risk importing inferior food from the USA under a new free trade deal called TTIP . Campaigners say the changes being planned to allow chicken washed with PAA are exactly the sort of thing that will become more common under the TTIP regime . Mute Schimpf , food campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe , said : ‘ The EU ’ s approach to food safety is under attack , even before any trade deal with the US is agreed . ‘ Despite repeated denial from the EU and national governments , the pressure is increasing to allow more imports of factory farmed meat rinsed in disinfectants . The EU must take a clear stand and ban all imports of meat produced in this way , and show the public that it is not caving in to US trade interests. ’ Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has warned lowering standards risks allowing poor-quality US food into the British market . In the past , EU national governments have blocked moves by the European Commission to approve imports of ‘ chlorinated chicken ’ from the USA – chicken cleaned with a chlorine and water wash to kill bugs . This was done as a precaution and because it could mask poor hygiene standards , as well as harm the health of workers in abattoirs and lead to pollution . Consumer groups argue that these same safeguards should be applied to the use of PAA and imports of chicken cleaned with the disinfectant . The European consumer organisation BEUC insists that health and safety should be put ahead of a desire to improve trade relations with the US . It said : ‘ As the EU and the US are engaged into talks for a free trade agreement , we look to EU authorities not to let their decision driven solely by trade considerations but to put food safety and consumer protection first. ’ BEUC said allowing the use of these chemical treatments opens the door to lower hygiene standards on farms and in slaughterhouses . This is because producers may believe they can wash away any contaminants , rather than ensuring they are not there in the first place . It said : ‘ We are concerned that PAA washes will not deliver any extra safety net . Rather , we see the risk they might be seen as a convenient substitute for good slaughter hygiene . ‘ The availability of such treatment might lead slaughterhouse staff to be less vigilant on preventing carcass contamination to happen in the first place , hence putting consumers ’ health at risk. ’ The European Food Safety Authority has ruled that PAA is not toxic to humans , although it can trigger asthma and allergies in workers at processing plants where it is used . The death of a poultry inspector made the headlines in the US in 2013 and raised questions about the health risks associated with the use of chemical decontamination treatments of meat such as PAA . BEUC is also concerned that bugs might mutate and become immune to the chemicals used in the washing process , so getting through to the meat sold in supermarkets and restaurants . Consumer groups have said shoppers do n't like the idea of their meat having been washed in chemicals . The group said there is also sound research showing shoppers do not like the idea of their chicken being treated with an acid wash. Research by the consumer group Which ? in 2011 showed that 60 per cent of people were unlikely to buy chicken that had been sprayed or washed with a mild acid . The British Poultry Council said the UK and European tradition of trying to keep harmful bugs out of the food chain , from farm to fork , was better for the public than relying on chemical disinfectants . Chief executive , Andrew Large , said : ‘ Chemical treatments should never be used as a substitute for good hygiene practice . 'EFSA has confirmed that peroxyacetic acid is safe to use in food production , but British poultry producers are not yet convinced its use is in the best interests of consumers compared to our farm-to-fork system . ’
Food chiefs are to allow in chickens washed in peroxyacetic acid ( European Food Safety Authority ) Experts fear the practice could be aiding the spread of superbugs . Consumer groups have also warned that shoppers do n't like the idea . Others say trade links with the USA are being put ahead of safety . PAA has ruled that European Food Safety Authority is not toxic to humans .