Questions about Turkeys and Chickens

[StefiG]

Can someone who really knows, like a chef, answer these questions:

1. What is injected into the turkeys today? I'm allergic to it and need to know. I can smell it while its roasting and cannot stand the smell.

2. Where can I find turkeys WITHOUT enhanced flavoring? Or a brand. Anything will help.

3. What's the real reason this flavoring is being added to poultry?

[jennyema]

It's mostly a sodium solution. If it has other chemicals, they should be listed.

There are many chickens and turkeys on the market that have not been pre-treated. Carefully check their wrappers. Bell and Evans is one good brand.

Soaking poultry in a salt solutionis a good way to enhance flavor and make the roasted bird juicier. Many people take an untreated bird and do this themselves at home -- it's called brining.

[CharlieD]

Look for orgnick, free range birds. They should not be injected with anything.

[StefiG]

Thanks guys! I'm a little more disappointed right now because KFC also uses the new enhanced flavoring as of this summer. I could smell it outside.

I will look up those two brands.
BTW if it's a flavored oil, it can be considered a company secrecy and they don't have to label it such. They wouldn't want us to learn of the new chemical they're adding, I'm sure.

[Michael in FtW]

jennyema is right - it's basically being brined by being injected with a high sodium solution ... usually either water or broth, but may contain other herbs and/or spices.

The only way to know is to turn the bird over and read the "Nutrition Information" label - if under Ingredients it list anything other than 100% Ch9ickenm or Turkey - it has been injected with something ... and that will be listed. Some brands can come both ways.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by StefiG

3. What's the real reason this flavoring is being added to poultry?

A sodium based brew for tenderizing (brining) etc. It also act as a preservative of sorts...AND it adds weight to the bird! A gallon of water weighs roughly 8 pounds. At $1.29 per pound (for the turkey) thats over $10.00 per gallon for the water!! So a processor/packer of 10's of thousands of turkeys can sell alot of water which translates into $$$$$

Enjoy!

[auntdot]

I believe you can go both for the high end and low end product.

Find chickens and turkeys on sale that are dirt cheap. And the inexpensive ones I doubt have had anything done to them. But you can always look at the label, there is some give away.

Then you can brine it yourself or not. Brining birds requires only salt and sugar, and it sure helps a bird in my opinion.

Good luck.

[GrillingFool]

Tyson's All Natural Organic skinless boneless chicken breasts have an "all natural chicken broth" injected.

It rockets the sodium per 4 oz from about 52 mg to an astounding 180 mg.

I firmly believe that it is a profit move, and also allows the companies to use lower quality chickens. But I am cynical about these things.

Oh.... they do it to beef and pork now too. I hate the slimy look it gives the meat.

[StefiG]

Thanks for your responses. I have always loved poultry and I can't believe they would go to this extreme without giving us a choice if we want it flavor enhanced or not. BTW KFC now does this.

When you say high end or low end, could you perhaps tell me the names of some stores at both ends. I shop at Bi Lo's, Publix (their brands inject flavored enhancers). Can't hardly find Tyson or Perdue anymore. I could check out Costco and Sam's. If it's just the natural juices or broth, that's fine. But if says it has added spices, that's not good.

[GotGarlic]

Originally Posted by StefiG

If it's just the natural juices or broth, that's fine. But if says it has added spices, that's not good.

Why is that not good?