Next time you visit Costco, take a moment to check out what other customers have in their carts. One item you’ll probably notice in nearly every basket is the surprisingly affordable, and flavorful rotisserie chicken. After all, it’s probably better for you than grabbing a bite at the Costco food court or stopping at a drive-thru on your way back. Don’t you think? But actually, it might not be as healthy as we thought! It’s important to know that these low-priced chickens come from the factory farming industry, which often compromises animal welfare, nutrition, environmental care, and worker safety. In fact, around 9 billion chickens are produced annually in the U.S. by Costco and other producers, and most of them are raised in factory farms that lack windows and house tens of thousands of birds.
Let’s explore the hidden truths behind this budget-friendly chicken
Let’s explore the hidden truths behind this budget-friendly chicken. The label indicates it’s USDA grade A chicken, free from MSG, preservatives, gluten, and artificial flavors or colors. At just $1.66 per pound, it seems like a great deal, right? Not so fast. It might not be as good of a bargain as it appears. After checking the label, it’s clear this chicken contains a lot of filler ingredients.
Costco’s rotisserie chicken has 11 ingredients listed: chicken, water, salt, sodium phosphates, hydrolyzed casein, modified corn starch, sugar, dextrose, chicken broth, isolated soy protein, monoglycerides, and diglycerides.
Many of these ingredients are injected into the chicken to enhance its flavor. Rotisserie chickens, like many others found in grocery stores, are often soaked in a preservative solution to keep them fresh longer and prevent bacteria growth. This solution can include phosphates, salts, and acids like sodium tripolyphosphate or acetic acid. While it helps fight harmful bacteria, it also has its drawbacks. A study from the National Library of Medicine suggests that high phosphate levels could increase mortality rates for the general population, especially for those with kidney or heart issues. Researchers have also connected elevated phosphate levels to faster aging and damage to blood vessels. (source)
Modified Corn Starch
Modified cornstarch has been changed through physical, enzymatic, or chemical processes to extend its shelf life, boost its resistance to extreme temperatures, or improve its specific functions. For instance, a type of modified cornstarch can help a sauce stay thicker for a longer time. It’s important to note that “modified” here doesn’t refer to genetic modification, but it’s possible that non-organic or non-GMO modified cornstarch comes from genetically modified corn.
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Does Costco rotisserie chicken contain antibiotics? Or Hormones?
Chickens are not given hormones because the USDA bans this for all poultry. However, they do have antibiotics, and they are genetically modified. Farm Forward points out that back in 1925, chickens were typically around 112 days old and weighed about 2.5 pounds before being slaughtered.
In contrast, modern chickens, like those from Costco, are killed at just 47 days old and weigh around 5 pounds. That’s quite a change! Costco has indicated that it wants to cut down on antibiotic use as part of its animal welfare policy.
A survey sent to its chicken suppliers revealed that 97 percent of its Kirkland Signature products, including rotisserie chickens, were raised without the “routine use” of antibiotics that are also used for humans. However, the term “routine use” isn’t clearly defined. If it means antibiotics are given just once per flock, that still implies that all the birds in that flock received them. Costco has also declined to provide its shareholders with specific data showing how it is reducing antibiotic use in its chickens. They haven’t published any analysis of their chicken products to back up the survey findings.
Toxic Chemicals in Plastic Containers
When you heat up chicken in plastic containers, dangerous chemicals like BPA can seep into your food. BPA is recognized as an endocrine disruptor, which means it can mess with your hormone levels and lead to various health issues. Plus, many conventional chickens are treated with hormones to make them bigger and juicier, which is all about maximizing profits for the producers. If you decide to enjoy rotisserie chicken, try to choose one that isn’t packaged in plastic.
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