Canned Chicken Eliminates Food Poisoning Risk

Media release 12th March 2008

Canned Chicken Eliminates Food Poisoning Risk

It’s no secret that New Zealand has the highest rate of Campylobacter food poisoning in the developed world – 75,000* Kiwis are affected by it annually – yet chicken continues to make up a third of the meat we choose to eat, and this figure is rising rapidly, at a rate of 12% per year over the past five years*.

Chicken is renowned for its Campylobacter risk, but the solution to this very persistent problem has been created by Chop Chop! – a New Zealand brand with big ideas. Recognising a significant gap in the market, the brand has addressed spiraling rates of Campylobacter by using tried and tested food processing technology – canning the chicken!

According to the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, New Zealand’s rate of Campylobacter food poisoning is nearly three times higher than England and Wales and 10 times higher than America and Canada. In 2007, 500 New Zealanders were hospitalised with Campylobacter food poisoning, and two people died from the disease*.

With current obesity rates a significant problem for Kiwis, the new innovation of canning the chicken is also drawing favour with nutritionists, who see the product as an excellent source of protein without a high fat content.

The new brand of Chop Chop! chicken is free from the risk of food poisoning, including Campylobacter because it is fully cooked – eliminating the risk of undercooking it, or of cross contamination from chopping boards and utensils when handling raw chicken*. The quality and safety of every batch is confirmed through testing by AssureQuality New Zealand (formerly AgriQuality).

“Food poisoning is a very real health risk for thousands of Kiwis who enjoy eating chicken. Our chickens are barn raised and the canned chicken is fully cooked chicken breast that is both high in protein and low in fat and makes a perfect meal ingredient or snack for chicken lovers,” says Amanda Flockhart, Marketing Manager for Chop Chop!

For more information visit www.chop-chop.co.nz

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