Process for treating red meat, poultry and seafood to control bacterial contamination and/or growth

A process for treating animals and/or seafood comprising the step of contacting the animal and/or seafood with a treatment solution containing trialkali metal orthophosphate at a temperature of between about 90.degree. F. and about 200.degree. F. for a time period effective to remove, reduce or retard bacterial contamination without significantly depreciating the organoleptic properties of the animal and/or seafood and wherein the concentration of said trialkali metal orthophosphate in said solution is between less than about 0.1 to about 4.0 percent by weight.