Methods of processing four-legged slaughter animals for consumption as meat and/or meat product(s) are described. The methods comprise (I) contacting exterior surfaces of the live animal at least once when the animal is en route to being slaughtered but before it is killed by exsanguination, with a microbiocidal solution, or (II) contacting a carcass of the animal, after exsanguination, with a microbiocidal solution, or (III) contacting at least one raw meat product and/or at least one processed meat product derived from the carcass at least once with a microbiocidal solution, or (IV) conducting any two or all three of (I), (II), and (III). In each case the microbiocidal solution is, independently, comprised of: (a) water having a bromine residual derived from (i) at least one bromine source, (ii) at least one alkali metal base, and/or at least one alkaline earth metal base, and (iii) at least one halogen stabilizer or (b) water having a bromine residual derived from (i) ammonium bromide, and/or at least one alkali-metal bromide, and/or at least one alkaline earth metal bromide, and (ii) at least one alkali metal hypohalite and/or at least one alkaline earth metal hypohalite or (c) water having a bromine residual derived from a mixture or combination of any one or more of (a) and any one or more of (b) the bromine residual in each of (a), (b), and (c) being sufficient to provide microbiocidal activity.
