Chicken's back on the agenda for the British public. If you're still confused about what you're buying then here's what you need to know
More expensive and more sought after since last year's programmes, sales of free range have shot up across the country. It means paying more - but it seems that many of us are prepared to do so. All the supermarkets stock free range and many as high as the RSPCA's Freedom Food free range standards.
From the name itself, you can guess that the birds are allowed to move outside with more space and to exhibit natural their behaviour. However, nothing is straightforward in the chicken world! There are EU legal standards but once again there are variations in interpretation. For example there is no limit to the size of flock (it can be in the 1000s) so once again cramped conditions can prevail, leading to stress.
EU standards represent the minimum a free range farmer needs to do. The RSPCA's Freedom Foods free range chickens are raised to higher welfare standards that include a lower spacing of 12 birds per m² and providing shelter so birds are encouraged outdoors to be 'free ranging'.
Don't succumb to term such as 'corn fed', 'farm fresh' and the like as they have no legal definition and are basically marketing tools. Stick with the logos!
Find out about Hugh's latest chicken labelling campaign
Top chefs join forces for a season of hard-hitting shows in Channel 4's Great British Food Fight
Your Comments
Post your comment
Please note: In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in to Channel 4:
Sign In Here or Register Here
Comments closed
Comments are closed at the present time
Comments
Thank you for your comment!
Your message will be reviewed and the best ones will be published below.
If you intended to make an official comment to Channel 4 please contact us.
Comments