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Antimicrobial pesticides are used in the processing and packaging of food products. When foods are handled, surfaces need to be free of potentially harmful germs prior to processing. The same surfaces also need to be cleaned to remove potentially harmful germs after food has been processed. Many states have specific food-handling requirements for businesses, check with your local health department for more information.

Most drinking water supplies have the potential for microorganisms like bacteria or other microbes to be present in the raw water. Some of these microbes can be harmful if you drink the water, thus drinking water is often disinfected before being delivered to your home with antimicrobial products like chlorine or bleach. Private well water is usually not disinfected unless the well is contaminated, but disinfection can be done if needed.

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Additional Resources:

Food and Food Handling

Pools and Drinking Water Systems

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.

Last updated November 07, 2023