Fast-food 'natural' chicken takes wing on safety fears

Vance · 02-05-2005, 02:22 PM

Fast food's next better-for-you twist has wings: "natural" chicken.

That's chicken with no additives. Some say it's tastier and healthier. It's certainly pricier. Arby's is about to announce plans to be the first national fast-food chain to sell only natural chicken. The move comes at a time when chicken of all types has emerged as fast food's hottest growth area.

More fast-foodies are expected to follow Arby's. Two fast-casual chains, Panera Bread and Chipotle, are testing natural chicken. A few regional chains have sold it for years, including Chick-fil-A and Chicken Out.

The label "natural" means the food contains no hormones, antibiotics or artificial ingredients and is "minimally" processed, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's less stringent than rules for "organic" — and easier for fast-food chains to accommodate.

Growing consumer interest in natural chicken and other natural meats has one key driver: safety concerns. Health concerns about everything from mad cow disease to E. coli bacteria have consumers seeking higher-quality meat, even at a fast-food joint.

"Consumers want more information about what's going on with the food they eat," says Dennis Lombardi, executive vice president at WD Partners, a restaurant development firm.

Buying natural might be most useful for folks who eat lots of chicken, says Robyn Flipse, a dietitian in Ocean, N.J. "It lessens the risk of exposure to antibiotics, hormones and preservatives."

Arby's plans to sell it systemwide by year's end. "We see a general trend toward better diet and overall wellness," says Debbie Pike, chief marketing officer for Arby's Franchise Association, which oversees the 3,450 stores' marketing.

Arby's is testing natural chicken — called "All Chicken Chicken" — in sandwiches and salads in Michigan, Florida, South Carolina and Ohio.

"We're not making a claim that Arby's is the natural restaurant," Pike says. "But we're responding to how people shop and eat."

The problem as more chains join in might be finding enough natural chicken. Others also responding:

•Panera Bread. The sandwich chain began testing natural chicken about a year ago. In November, it rolled out natural chicken systemwide in some sandwiches and salads. And it eventually plans to sell only natural chicken, says Scott Davis, chief concept officer.

Because the natural chicken costs Panera more, it is charging about 25 cents more for dishes made with it.

•Chipotle. The Mexican chain sells natural chicken in the Washington area, New York and parts of Atlanta and Ohio. In some — but not all — areas, it charges about 25 cents more for the dishes.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...ral-usat_x.htm

That's good news.

The*Empress · 02-05-2005, 02:29 PM

but Al Sharpton said we Blacks should ban KFC...
http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/arti...05093909990004

so no good news.

Vance · 02-05-2005, 02:41 PM

Miss P, you didn't read the article, are you? This article does NOT contain anything that refer to KFC.

The*Empress · 02-05-2005, 03:03 PM

yes I read. If Al Sharpton said we must ban KFC, then
why not ban other resturants which sell chickens too??

Vance · 02-05-2005, 03:09 PM

You have a good point. But one thing about natural, conventional and organic. To be label as 'organic', animal cruelity is not allowed. Other than organic, animal cruelity is allowed in factory farms (natural and conventional).

btw, are you sure that you don't want to buy anything from Fast Foods included KFC? These Fast Foods are owned/funded by Religious Right (both republicans and conservatives).

Again, you have a good point, stay clear from any fast foods for your health sake.

Codger · 02-05-2005, 03:09 PM

Magatsu, natural meat products and dairy products as well as vegetables are becoming more popular all the time. People will pay nearly double the store price of confinement production eggs to buy my natural farm raised eggs. Same for my pasture raised beef. I don't like the idea of my family ingesting a lot of artificial growth hormones and traces of vaccines and chemicals that are neccisary to raise animals in confinement. Nor the manufactured fertilizers and pesticides used on row crops of vegetables. I think that the fast food industry recognizing and responding to the demand is a positive thing and a smart marketing move.

Vance · 02-05-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Codger

People will pay nearly double the store price of confinement production eggs to buy my natural farm raised eggs.

You have your own chickens? That's awesome. I always want to have my own small farm to grow and breed for my family to eat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Codger

Same for my pasture raised beef. I don't like the idea of my family ingesting a lot of artificial growth hormones and traces of vaccines and chemicals that are neccisary to raise animals in confinement. Nor the manufactured fertilizers and pesticides used on row crops of vegetables. I think that the fast food industry recognizing and responding to the demand is a positive thing and a smart marketing move.

Ditto. I completely agree with you. That's why I said it is good news that they finally are responding to the demand of the public. That's only start... I hope they will keep the ball rolling.

The*Empress · 02-05-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magatsu

You have a good point. But one thing about natural, conventional and organic. To be label as 'organic', animal cruelity is not allowed. Other than organic, animal cruelity is allowed in factory farms (natural and conventional).

btw, are you sure that you don't want to buy anything from Fast Foods included KFC? These Fast Foods are owned/funded by Religious Right (both republicans and conservatives).

Again, you have a good point, stay clear from any fast foods for your health sake.

The only reason why I vote for Bush is because of Colin Powell and Condi Rice... I want Blacks to succeed in the White House.
I don't care about Bush. And I like Arnold Schwarzenegger...

I wish to ban cigarette Tobacco companies, I don't care
if the owners are republicans, conservatives or Religious...
I want them to stop selling that to people.
OREO did good... I'll buy this, cause at least they are trying...

prostock19 · 02-05-2005, 08:09 PM

CHIPOTLE!!! That is what I have when I go to Gally and to NYC. Anyways, if it tastes better, why not? I love chicken!

Codger · 02-05-2005, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaflibrarian

Before those restaurants go running around saying they have "free range, organic" chicken on their menu they should take a look at their milk and dairy products because 99% chances it is BGH-laced.

I refuse to eat any milk or dairy product from the USA because of the BGH. I'd rather have mad-cow "one cow in a million" than have the BGH in every bottle of milk, wedge of cheese, or scoop of ice cream. Only if there is proof that the dairy product is made with BGH-free milk will I accept it. Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream was sued for putting that BGH-free label, but I think it was overturned or dropped.

I am curious about something though. For those of you in the USA going grocery shopping do you have a choice between BGH-free milk and regular BGH-laced milk?

We buy our milk and butter from the local Mennonites who do not use BGH. They do, as required by law, heat pasteurize their products. I do admit that we buy cheese that is regular store bought, but it is more of a condiment than a food source.

Tousi · 02-06-2005, 05:30 AM

To continue as they have will sound the death knell of the fast food industry as we know it. So they have to adapt.........and that's good news, albeit too slow for me. Anymore, I can't stand most fast food places but they are soooo convenient. I need to move to the country and be a gentleman farmer.

02-05-2005, 02:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Vance Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,280	Fast-food 'natural' chicken takes wing on safety fears Fast food's next better-for-you twist has wings: "natural" chicken. That's chicken with no additives. Some say it's tastier and healthier. It's certainly pricier. Arby's is about to announce plans to be the first national fast-food chain to sell only natural chicken. The move comes at a time when chicken of all types has emerged as fast food's hottest growth area. More fast-foodies are expected to follow Arby's. Two fast-casual chains, Panera Bread and Chipotle, are testing natural chicken. A few regional chains have sold it for years, including Chick-fil-A and Chicken Out. The label "natural" means the food contains no hormones, antibiotics or artificial ingredients and is "minimally" processed, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's less stringent than rules for "organic" — and easier for fast-food chains to accommodate. Growing consumer interest in natural chicken and other natural meats has one key driver: safety concerns. Health concerns about everything from mad cow disease to E. coli bacteria have consumers seeking higher-quality meat, even at a fast-food joint. "Consumers want more information about what's going on with the food they eat," says Dennis Lombardi, executive vice president at WD Partners, a restaurant development firm. Buying natural might be most useful for folks who eat lots of chicken, says Robyn Flipse, a dietitian in Ocean, N.J. "It lessens the risk of exposure to antibiotics, hormones and preservatives." Arby's plans to sell it systemwide by year's end. "We see a general trend toward better diet and overall wellness," says Debbie Pike, chief marketing officer for Arby's Franchise Association, which oversees the 3,450 stores' marketing. Arby's is testing natural chicken — called "All Chicken Chicken" — in sandwiches and salads in Michigan, Florida, South Carolina and Ohio. "We're not making a claim that Arby's is the natural restaurant," Pike says. "But we're responding to how people shop and eat." The problem as more chains join in might be finding enough natural chicken. Others also responding: •Panera Bread. The sandwich chain began testing natural chicken about a year ago. In November, it rolled out natural chicken systemwide in some sandwiches and salads. And it eventually plans to sell only natural chicken, says Scott Davis, chief concept officer. Because the natural chicken costs Panera more, it is charging about 25 cents more for dishes made with it. •Chipotle. The Mexican chain sells natural chicken in the Washington area, New York and parts of Atlanta and Ohio. In some — but not all — areas, it charges about 25 cents more for the dishes. Source: http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...ral-usat_x.htm That's good news.

02-05-2005, 02:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
The*Empress Merry Christmas!!!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: on Plantation. Posts: 6,935	but Al Sharpton said we Blacks should ban KFC... http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/arti...05093909990004 so no good news. __________________

02-05-2005, 03:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
The*Empress Merry Christmas!!!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: on Plantation. Posts: 6,935	yes I read. If Al Sharpton said we must ban KFC, then why not ban other resturants which sell chickens too?? __________________

02-05-2005, 08:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
prostock19 BAH HUMBUG!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Formerly RI, Now Albany, NY Area Posts: 3,308	CHIPOTLE!!! That is what I have when I go to Gally and to NYC. Anyways, if it tastes better, why not? I love chicken! __________________

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02-05-2005, 02:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Vance Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,280	Miss P, you didn't read the article, are you? This article does NOT contain anything that refer to KFC.

02-05-2005, 03:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Vance Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,280	You have a good point. But one thing about natural, conventional and organic. To be label as 'organic', animal cruelity is not allowed. Other than organic, animal cruelity is allowed in factory farms (natural and conventional). btw, are you sure that you don't want to buy anything from Fast Foods included KFC? These Fast Foods are owned/funded by Religious Right (both republicans and conservatives). Again, you have a good point, stay clear from any fast foods for your health sake.

02-05-2005, 03:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Codger This body is on loan Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 817	Magatsu, natural meat products and dairy products as well as vegetables are becoming more popular all the time. People will pay nearly double the store price of confinement production eggs to buy my natural farm raised eggs. Same for my pasture raised beef. I don't like the idea of my family ingesting a lot of artificial growth hormones and traces of vaccines and chemicals that are neccisary to raise animals in confinement. Nor the manufactured fertilizers and pesticides used on row crops of vegetables. I think that the fast food industry recognizing and responding to the demand is a positive thing and a smart marketing move.

02-06-2005, 05:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,459	To continue as they have will sound the death knell of the fast food industry as we know it. So they have to adapt.........and that's good news, albeit too slow for me. Anymore, I can't stand most fast food places but they are soooo convenient. I need to move to the country and be a gentleman farmer.