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.

Learn more about:

Disinfectants, Sanitizers, and Antimicrobial Products

Regulating Antimicrobials

Selecting an Antimicrobial Product

Antimicrobials for Pathogens

Toxicology and Health Effects

NPIC Disinfectant Resources

Food and Food Handling

• Safe Food Handling Fact Sheets - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• The Bad Bug Book (Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Antimicrobial Food Additives - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Regulations and Policies of the Food Safety and Inspection Service - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Sanitation Performance Standards Compliance Guide - Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS)
• Guidance for Use of Food-Grade Shell-Egg Sanitizers - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Antimicrobial Products to Disinfect Poultry and Other Facilities Against Avian (Bird) Flu - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Pools and Drinking Water Systems

• Drinking Water Contaminants - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Drinking Water Health Advisory Documents - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Bacteria and Other Microorganisms in Household Water - National Ag Safety Database
• How to Disinfect Wells After an Emergency - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Well Disinfection - Minnesota Department of Health
• Guidelines for Keeping Your Pool Safe and Healthy - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Healthy Swimming - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Pool Chemical Safety - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Chlorine Fact Sheet - Wisconsin Department of Health Services

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.