Chemical sanitizers containing __________ are most widely used for sanitizing milking equipment.

Chemical sanitizers containing chlorine are widely used for sanitizing milking equipment due to their effectiveness in eliminating harmful microorganisms that can contaminate milk and affect milk quality. Chlorine-based sanitizers are favored in the dairy industry because they are strong oxidizing agents, meaning they can easily break down organic matter and kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Additionally, chlorine sanitizers are typically cost-effective, readily available, and can be used in various concentrations depending on the level of sanitation required. They also act quickly, often requiring only a short contact time to achieve effective disinfection, making them practical for routine cleaning processes in milking operations.

In contrast, while sanitizers like bromine, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide have their own uses and benefits, they do not match chlorine's widespread adoption in the dairy sector for equipment sanitization due to factors such as cost, effectiveness, and speed of action.