ABC's of Chicken ~ July 3rd

According to food-safety expert, Jaydee Hanson, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Food Safety, when the label reads organic it guarantees certain standards. These standards are:

• Organic chicken growers are not allowed to use sewage sludge as fertilizer (thank God).
• Prohibited from using synthetic chemicals not approved by the National Organic Program of the USDA.
• Cannot use genetically modified organisms (GMOs)---any plant, animal, or microorganism that has been altered through genetic engineering.

Chickens labeled as "natural" don't necessarily meet the above standards.

Some experts feel that based on nutrition alone, organic chicken is not worth the extra money. However, if you're concerned about food poisoning (from antibiotics), GMOs, or how the chicken was raised, then buying organic may be worth consideration. 

To make sure any kind of bird is safe to eat check to see if it's plump (a good sign) or dry (not good), and also make sure it's not close to the "sell by" date. Chicken is the most perishable meat so when in doubt, sniff it. If it smells off, put it back.

READ THE FINE PRINT

Some labels say "hormone-free" suggesting the product is better than others. The USDA regulations does prohibit poultry growers from giving hormones and steroids to their birds, so all chickens are hormone-free. What you need to know is while hormones are prohibited, growers can still give chickens antibiotics every day. These drugs serve the same purpose as hormones.

Self-care = self-love.

Together we thrive,

Jacqueline