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Is chlorinated chicken illegal in Germany?

Yes. Chlorinated chicken is banned in Germany. Germans call it Chlorhühnchen. EU law allows only drinking water.

Reg (EC) 853/2004 art 3(2): only potable (or clean) water may remove surface contamination from products of animal origin unless a substance is approved; EFSA topic page (reviewed 25 Jun 2026) lists only lactic acid, bovine carcasses only (Reg 101/2013). Nothing approved for poultry; Food Safety News 25 Aug 2025: Europe prohibits import of chlorine-treated poultry.

Source: EU Reg 853/2004 art 3(2)

• Germany is one of 36 countries where chlorinated chicken is banned, and 1 more restrict it.
• Its neighbours: banned in 9 of 9.
• In Europe: banned in 31 of 39 countries.

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Other countries that ban chlorinated chicken

AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkEstoniaFinlandGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyLatviaAll 36 on the map ›

What else is banned in Germany