Efficacy of Ozone as a Disinfectant for Poultry Carcasses and Chill Water

The effects of ozone on the quality of poultry chiller water and broiler carcasses were evaluated in a pilot plant size water recirculating poultry chiller. The microbial counts of ozone treated carcasses stored at 4.4°C were consistently lower than carcasses chilled under nonozonated conditions. Greater than 99% of all microorganisms washed from the carcasses were destroyed by the residual ozone in addition to significant reductions of one third in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and a significant increase in light transmission (500 nm) of the treated process water. No significant carcass skin color losses, lipid oxidation, or off flavors resulted from ozone contact.