The accusation that chicken nuggets are made from shredded chicks or other meat waste is not new. Large fast food chains prefer to leave questions about the origin of their meat products unanswered. You can find more information in this article.
Chicken nuggets made from chick meat:
The accusation that chicken nuggets are made from meat waste and chick meat is not new. In a 2018 study, Ökotest examined 14 different chicken nuggets products. Not a single one did well or even very well. The results of the study can be summarized as follows:
The meat of the nuggets is usually so processed that it is difficult to determine what kind of meat it is.
In the laboratory, however, it can be determined that antibiotic-resistant germs, fatty pollutants and even mineral oil can be found in many nuggets. Not to mention excessive amounts of sugar, fat and salt.
Manufacturers don't really comment on the origin of their products. The fattening farms usually remain secret. McDonalds, Burger King and KFC sent press releases and statements at Ökotest's request, but failed to provide any evidence.
Fast food companies are only vague about the origin of their chicken nuggets.
Fast food companies are only inaccurate about the origin of their chicken nuggets.
That's what the manufacturers say
"Animal welfare is important to us" is probably the favorite phrase when it comes to defending the quality of your own meat. More specific is rarely found.
After all, McDonalds delivers a report with rough general facts about its own products. On top of that, the website of the group states that 46% of chicken nuggets are chicken breast meat. 25% of this comes from Germany.
However, the product information is from 2017. The Ökotest study, however, from 2018.
Despite apparent transparency, the group refuses to make its suppliers public.
The future of chicken nuggets:
The problem with the meat quality of chicken nuggets will not solve itself anytime soon, but things will change in the long term. Because chicken, like salmon, lamb and cheese, is affected by climate change. According to Gareth Redmond from WWF, the effects of climate change could be felt in meat prices as early as 2050.
Chicken nuggets would then either be significantly more expensive or they would lose their taste. Because in order to keep the price low, it would be possible, for example, to feed the chickens with algae and insects.
Until then, for animal welfare and health reasons, according to Ökotest, it is worth avoiding chicken nuggets.