It has been suggested that decontamination procedures could render
the surface of the carcass susceptible to the preferential growth of
dangerous bacteria because of the removal of competing background
micro-biota on meat (Hugas and Tsigarida, 2008; Somers et al., 1994).
Thus, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE, 2005) recommends
that the decontamination of carcasses should not be allowed
unless it has been demonstrated that such techniques are safe, taking
into account the potential pathogenic micro-biota involved. The lack
of scientific data relating to hazards associated with the use of poultry
decontaminants is among the causes of the rejection of a proposal of
the European Commission concerning the use of antimicrobial substances
to remove surface contamination from poultry carcasses
(OJEU, 2009).