Pallet knowledge / Food and hygiene

Food and hygiene

Does disinfecting a pallet remove allergens?

By PalletChecker · AI-assisted, source-linked guidance

Reviewed 2026-10-03 · Source backed guidance; site specific acceptance required

Applies to: UK/EU guidance where cited; receiving-site and product specifications

Not automatically. Cleaning removes residues; disinfection targets microorganisms. FSA evidence distinguishes microbial cleaning from allergen removal, and treatments that kill microbes do not reliably remove allergenic proteins. Use a food-business cleaning procedure designed and verified for the contamination concerned.

What to check next

• Identify previous load and relevant allergen.
• Validate cleaning and prevent recontamination.

Sources

• FSA evidence review: allergen cleaning
• FSA review: cleaning and disinfection

How we research and review answers

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