Work

Use of Formaldehyde in Poultry Production for the Treatment of Litter, Hatching Eggs, Hatcheries, and Feed: An Updated Mini Review

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: spp. are primarily transmitted through contaminated eggs and infected poultry; however, other routes, including the movement of personnel, vehicles, and lapses in biosecurity protocols, also play a significant role in their dissemination within poultry systems. Control of a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, is often carried out using chemical agents, such as formaldehyde, applied in its solid, liquid, or gaseous forms. Reports on the use of formaldehyde in poultry production date back more than a century. However, it continues to attract research interest due to growing concerns about bacterial resistance, embryotoxicity, occupational exposure, the generation of toxic byproducts, and the search for safer alternatives in poultry production systems. It remains widely used worldwide, but comprehensive and updated evaluations of its efficacy, toxicity, and risks to both poultry and workers are still limited. This review aims to synthesize the current knowledge on the use of formaldehyde in poultry production. Overall, the synthesis shows that formaldehyde remains an effective but high-risk sanitizer whose continued use in poultry systems requires rigorous control and monitoring protocols, and that the development and adoption of efficient and safer alternatives is recommended.

Source: Toxics

DOI: 10.3390/toxics13111003

Authors: Pedro Henrique Gomes de Sá Santos, Gabriel da Silva Oliveira, Concepta McManus, Vinícius Machado dos Santos

Institutions: Universidade de Brasília, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Brasília, Universidade de São Paulo

Language: English

Topic: Antimicrobial agents and applications

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137