You might have eaten US chicken without realising it

South African consumers have been warned that a well-known retailer has been selling controversial American chicken in its delicatessen A DE...

South African consumers have been warned that a well-known retailer has been selling controversial American chicken in its delicatessen

A DESTINY reader went to a popular retailer’s deli to purchase a quarter portion of cooked chicken. To her surprise she found that the chicken was being sold at the low price of R18. Given that the usual retail price for that portion of chicken is usually over R20 she questioned the origin of the meat.

Recently Proudly South Africa revealed that it had information that a large portion of the controversial American chicken was being sold at the delicatessen section of a well known retailer. The chicken is said to be cheaper than the chicken South Africans are used to buying.

In a statement, Proudly South Africa’s CEO Advocate Leslie Sedibe said consumers had the right to know where their chicken came from so they can make informed choices.

“We think it would be very devious and deceptive if stockists are indeed using so-called ‘loopholes’ to hide the origin of the American chicken, such as selling it in cooked form in supermarket delis,” said Adv Sedibe in the statement.

You might have eaten US chicken without realising it

The American chicken came under the spotlight after it was revealed that chicken from the US contained cancer-causing ingredients. Many people were weary of it following a report by the US Food and medication regulation board, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA found that some of the chicken was contaminated with the animal drug 3-Nitro® (Roxarsone), which is arsenic-based and a known carcinogen.

South Africans have voiced their concerns on social media about the chicken, which hit shelves on 15 March.

South Africa signed the trade agreement to import 65 000 tonnes of chicken from the US per year this year. The Department of Trade and Industry said last year when the deal was reached that it was a good thing for South Africa because it would enable the country to be fully included in the African Growth Opportunities Act over the next ten years.

Proudly South Africa said it was important for retailers and fast-food outlets to be open and honest about where their products originated from in accordance to the law

“Let’s also remind consumers that by law, any item sold in South Africa must carry a label of origin stating on the packaging where the product comes from,” added Adv Sedibe.

Other retailers such as restaurant Nando’s have said they would not be using any of the controversial chicken.

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