This invention provides processes comprising contacting at least one unopened defeathered poultry carcass with water containing a microbiocidal composition, optionally opening and eviscerating at least one unopened defeathered poultry carcass that was wetted subjecting at least one eviscerated poultry carcass to inside-outside washing with water containing a microbiocidal composition placing at least one eviscerated poultry carcass in a chill tank into contact with chill water containing a microbiocidal composition contacting parts of poultry resulting from processing of poultry containing a microbiocidal composition. The water in these processes contains a microbiocidal composition comprising I) one or more surfactants and II) a microbiocidal amount of a biocide. The surfactants include amine oxides and/or betaines. The biocides include various chlorine-based and bromine-based biocides chlorine dioxide and peracetic acid. In particular, the microbiocidal composition comprises synergistic combinations of amine oxide and/or betaine surfactants and biocides such that the microbiocidal compositions provide an enhanced microbiocidal effect when applied to poultry.
