Jul 1st, 2021
3 mins
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), with Ipsos MORI, have published a survey of consumer practices relating to coated frozen chicken products. The survey identifies behaviours which could increase peoples risk to foodborne disease and was commissioned as a result of a recent Salmonella incident linked to frozen chicken products.
The findings show two thirds of adults aged 16-75 (67%) say they have recently cooked or eaten coated frozen chicken products at home. These products are particularly popular with younger adults, with 88% of those aged 16-24 having recently consumed them or cooked them at home. Participants were also more likely to have cooked or eaten these products if they have children aged 15 or under in their household (86%).
The survey also included questions on the storage and handling of these products pre and post-cooking:
- Almost two thirds of those who cook these products (62%) say uncooked coated frozen chicken products at least sometimes come into contact with other surfaces such as worktops and plates
- Over half of those who cook these products (58%) say they always wash their hands after handling coated frozen chicken products
- Almost a quarter of consumers who personally cook products say they defrost them before cooking (23%), 62% say they do not. Among those who defrost products, half say they leave them at room temperature (53%)
84% of participants who use an oven to cook coated frozen chicken products say they sometimes cook them together with other products, such as chips or vegetables. Possibly resulting in the products being cooked at a lower temperature or for a shorter period of time, meaning they may not be thoroughly cooked before consuming.
To read the survey report, click here.
