No, Perdue does not bleach their chicken. Their processing methods focus on maintaining food safety through cooling and equipment sanitation, not through the use of bleach on the chicken itself.
Perdue's Chicken Processing Methods
Perdue follows specific procedures to ensure the safety and quality of their chicken products. Chickens are hatched, raised, and harvested within the U.S. Once processed, the chicken meat undergoes a rapid cooling process.
- Cold-Water Bath: To quickly reduce the temperature of the meat and promote food safety, processed chickens are immersed in a cold-water bath. This is a standard method for chilling poultry.
The Role of Chlorine in Perdue's Facilities
While the chicken itself is not bleached, chlorine does play a role in Perdue's operations, strictly for hygiene purposes.
- Equipment Sanitation: Chlorine is exclusively used to clean or sanitize processing equipment and tooling. This practice is crucial for maintaining the highest level of food safety within the processing environment, preventing the growth of harmful bacteria on surfaces that come into contact with the product. It ensures that all machinery and tools meet rigorous hygiene standards.
In summary, consumers can be assured that Perdue's chickens are not treated with bleach for cosmetic purposes. The company's focus is on safe and efficient processing, utilizing cold-water chilling for the chicken and chlorine solely for equipment sanitation.
