Co-operative Group aims to battle risks of handling raw chicken with new packaging

Co-operative Food stores will only be selling ‘roast-in-the-bag’ chickens across its entire range from January. In response to the risks of handling raw chicken, the Co-operative Group is...

Co-operative Food stores will only be selling ‘roast-in-the-bag’ chickens across its entire range from January.

In response to the risks of handling raw chicken, the Co-operative Group is the first retailer to eliminate the need for consumers to handle chicken, which limits the potential spread of bacteria.

Foods Standards Agency guidelines encourage consumers not to wash raw chicken prior to cooking and, after handling raw chicken, to wash hands and utensils thoroughly.

The rollout of the packaging follows a trial of whole chickens in roast-in-the-bag packaging, which now account for a fifth of all whole chicken purchases. As well as helping drive food safety, the packaging offers ease and convenience while the roasting bag also seals in chicken juices and flavour. A range of unseasoned and marinated chickens will be available across the range.

Steve Murrells, retail chief executive, said: “I am proud that the Co-operative Food will be the first UK retailer to take this step, which underlines our commitment to customer convenience and food safety. Shoppers have told us it will make cooking easier because the chicken requires no preparation and can be placed straight in the oven, making it convenient for time-pressed families. Importantly, the new packaging offers a clear food safety advantage.”

Steve Wearne, director of policy at the FSA said: “The FSA welcomes the Co-op’s introduction of ‘roast-in-the-bag’ packaging for their chickens. We are looking to retailers and their suppliers to introduce a range of actions to help reduce the risks to customers from potentially harmful food bugs, especially Campylobacter which is currently the biggest cause of food poisoning in the UK. ‘Roast-in-the-bag’ packaging is one initiative that can help consumers avoid handling raw meat and reduce possible cross contamination in the kitchen. We hope to see more action like this from retailers to help tackle the problem Campylobacter.”

Chickens, as part of the range, will include:

  • The Co-operative British Extra Tasty Whole Chicken 1.56kg £6
  • The Co-operative British Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffed Whole Chicken 1.5kg £6
  • The Co-operative British Piri Piri Whole Chicken 1.56kg £6
  • The Co-operative British Small Whole Chicken 1.1kg-1.39kg £4.50
  • The Co-operative British Medium Whole Chicken 1.56kg £5 – or permanently 2 for £8
  • The Co-operative British Large Whole Chicken 1.87kg £6 – or permanently 2 for £10
  • The Co-operative British Free Range Whole Chicken (average) 1.5kg £5.75/kg – priced per kilogram
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