Survey reveals chicken pumped with water is still being sold

Fresh and frozen chicken breasts with illegally added water are still being sold to consumers in the UK, according to the results of a new survey.

The survey, co-ordinated by the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) on behalf of the Food Standards Agency, revealed that of 105 samples taken, seven were found to be “unsatisfactory”

The survey was carried out between July and October last year across the retail, foodservice and wholesale sectors, as part of an EU-wide programme to discover the extent of the problem of poultry meat improperly bulked out or pumped with water.

Previously, UK and European Commission (EC) sampling work had identified “significant numbers” of products placed on the market with excessive added water and hydrolysed proteins used as water retaining agents in poultry meat.

EC regulations (Article 5(1) of Council Directive 71/118/EEC) governing the sale of fresh poultry meat prohibits the inclusion of agents that specifically promote water retention. Although these agents may be used in poultry preparations and products, it must be in accordance with good manufacturing practice and food labelling legislation.

An EC Food and Veterinary Office visit to the UK, reported on earlier this year, identified “some shortcomings” in the official control and supervision of the use of water retention agents used in poultry.