80% of Americans wrongly believe chicken contains hormones, steroids
Nearly 80% of Americans mistakenly believe that chicken contains added hormones or steroids, when in fact no chicken sold or raised in the US is given hormones or steroids, according to a survey by the National Chicken Council.
In some cases, consumers aren’t able to easily access facts on chicken production. The survey found that 68% of Americans believe that the media portrays the care of chicken negatively, highlighting the need for chicken producers to engage in more conversations with consumers about where their chicken comes from.
The survey also uncovered many concerning assumptions about the care and safety of chicken, including:
|
MISPERCEPTION |
REALITY |
| A majority (78%) believe chickens are genetically modified. | There are no genetically modified chickens. Over the years, chickens with the healthiest growth and size have been selected for breeding – and are fed, housed and raised well. The result is a larger, healthier bird. |
| A majority (77%) believe chicken contains added hormones or steroids. | No chicken sold or raised in the US is given hormones or steroids. In fact, the USDA has banned all hormones and steroids in poultry since the 1950s. Good breeding, proper nutrition, care by a veterinarian and better living conditions all contribute to the healthier growth of birds. |
| Nearly three-quarters (73 %) believe antibiotics are present in most chicken meat. | Any meat from chickens sold in the US is free of antibiotics. The USDA regulates withdrawal periods to ensure no meat bought in-store contains antibiotics or antibiotic residue from animals that may need medicine. |
| More than two-thirds (68%) )believe most chickens raised for meat are raised in cages. | No chicken meat you buy is raised in a cage. The majority of chickens raised for meat in the US live in large, open structures called houses where they are free to walk around. |
“Food is an emotionally-charged topic, and with conflicting information readily available online and on social media, it’s understandable people are concerned,” said Tom Super, spokesperson for NCC.
In an effort to recognize and respond to these concerns, NCC announced the launch of Chicken Check In, which provides real answers to questions about chicken production in the US. It also gives Americans a close look at the lives of the birds and how they get to our tables every day.
Posted on December 16, 2015
