The Quest for Safe chicken – 100% Natural Chicken

We all want to eat healthy food, but we recently read about several issues with chicken. When is 100% Natural not 100% Natural? More and more of the time unfortunately.

US Department of agriculture (USDA) defines the term “natural” as a product that contains no artificial ingredients or added color and is only minimally processed.  The definition applies to beef and chicken.

“Natural” Packaged chicken can be injected with up to 15% salt water and seaweed extract (carrageenan) per the US Department of Agriculture. The tiny fine print on some chicken packages reads “With up to 15% natural* chicken broth”

Allegedly, Wal-Mart in 2003 told US chicken processors to standardize packaged weight of fresh chicken, so this scheme was employed.

So not only are we paying extra for salt water, we are getting saltier chicken.

This article offers some helpful suggestions on what to look for when buying chicken. 100% Organic, Pasture raised is the best.

Chemicals in chicken

Chemicals given to chickens have also have problems. In July 2011, Pfizer stopped selling 3-Nitro that was used in some chicken feed. FDA found a very low level of inorganic carcinogenic arsenic in the livers of chickens treated with the drug.

Related posts:

1. Chipotle’s Natural Chicken
2. Chicken Safety, Turkey Safety – Salmonella, Campylobacter bacteria
3. New rules for Organic Meat and Milk
4. Tyson settles consumer class-action suit over Chicken Labeling
5. Hormel Natural Choice Natural Deli Meat
6. What is a Natural Cleaner or Natural home care product ?
7. Safe Vegetables and Fruits – Saving Money by not buying Everything Organic
8. New Frito-Lay Natural Potato Chips

Posted on May 25th, 2009
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