US producer targets health food market

A US poultry producer has launched a new variety of baked chicken nuggets, which are legally permitted to be labelled as ‘healthy’ under the rules of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The nuggets, as well as the company’s popcorn chicken products, are also certified by the American Heart Association with the ‘heart check mark’ seal of approval, and are approved for Child Nutrition Labelling, a voluntary federal labelling programme for the USDA‘s Child Nutrition Programmes.

The company says that the products are aimed at helping to reduce childhood obesity. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the number of overweight or obese children has more than doubled in the past 30 years, and 17 percent of children aged two to 19 are overweight.

EatWellStayHealthy Kids Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets and Breaded Popcorn Chicken from Pilgrim’s Pride, one of the largest poultry producers in the US, will be available in stores this autumn.

All products in the line are made from whole-muscle chicken breast meat and contain zero trans fats. The company claims that these products have less than half the calories, half the carbohydrates and 80% less fat per serving than comparable brands.