Organic chicken not the healthiest option

Contrary to popular belief, recent research from the UK indicates that organic chicken is not more nutritious than conventionally reared chicken - in fact, researchers believe it is actually less healthy and also less tasty.

Tests undertaken on supermarket chicken breasts by food scientists at Strathclyde University found that organic varieties were less nutritious and contained more fat than conventionally reared chicken.

In spite of premium organic prices, the products scored lower in all the nutritional tests in the study.

The organic varieties tested contained fewer omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of antioxidants, giving the meat an inferior taste. Some were found to contain twice as much cholesterol.

The study throws into question the popular belief that the premium paid for organic meat guarantees a healthier and tastier product.

"It is safe to say that you are not getting any nutritional benefit from buying organic chicken," said Alistair Paterson, co-author of the study, which is published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.

"You could be better off buying conventional or free-range chicken. There is no guarantee that organic chicken gives you more omega-3, better taste or a lower cholesterol level."

Sales of organic food have doubled in the UK in the past six years.

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Editor WorldPoultry