What's in it for me? Overconsumption of broiler chicken products

Queenan, Kevin; Cuevas, Soledad; Mabhaudhi, Tafadswanashe; Slotow, Rob; Haesler, Barbara

Abstract

This series of five policy briefs draws on research conducted by South African and United Kingdom- based researchers within the SHEFS consortium. The series seeks to encourage policy makers working on the commercial broiler chicken system in South Africa to adopt a broad systems-based perspective in their work.
This brief explores the implications of overconsumption of broiler meat.

This policy brief highlights the potential nutrition and health implications of policies aimed at increasing per capita consumption of broiler chicken meat, and the role of the commercial broiler system within this. Commercial broiler chicken production is responsible for approximately 95% of local (national) chicken meat production. Existing policies aim to sustain supplies and retain affordability for consumers. However, the bulk of the products marketed through the system are individually quick-frozen pieces that have been brined, thus containing added salt. Furthermore, salt and fat are added during the fast-food processing of broiler chicken. This growing market prefers the commercial system as its supplier. Policies that promote an increase in per capita consumption of broiler meat should recognise the potential negative health and nutrition outcomes from overconsumption of these products originating from the commercial broiler system.

Citation

Queenan, K., Cuevas, S., Mabhaudhi, T., Slotow, R., & Haesler, B. (2023). What's in it for me? Overconsumption of broiler chicken products. Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems Programme (SHEFS)

• Report Type: Policy Document
• Online Publication Date: Dec 10, 2024
• Publication Date: May 12, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 2, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 23, 2025
• Series Number: 3 of 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14355825