Methods of detaching microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) from, or of inhibiting microbial (e.g., bacterial) attachment to, animal or poultry carcasses or seafood or parts thereof, wherein the method involves contacting animal or poultry carcasses or seafood or parts thereof at least once with at least one of the following: (i) a polysulfated polysaccharide, (ii) carboxymethyl cellulose, or (iii) guanidine or arginine, optionally together with sodium chloride and at least one non-ionic surfactant, or (iv) mixtures thereof, in an amount effective to detach microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) from, or inhibit microbial (e.g., bacterial) attachment to, animal or poultry carcasses or seafood or parts thereof.