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| - Last Updated on October 24, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A social media post claims that eating chicken can make you sick because chickens are fed harmful medicines to accelerate their growth, and they supposedly carry dangerous viruses. Our fact check reveals the claim is Mostly False.
The Claim
A viral post on Facebook urges people to stop eating chicken, alleging that harmful practices like feeding or injecting dangerous chemicals lead to the presence of viruses in poultry.
Fact Check
Can chickens contain viruses that make them unsafe to eat?
Not exactly. Chickens, like all animals, can carry certain pathogens, but there is no evidence to suggest that commercially raised chickens contain viruses due to deliberate contamination. Chickens can be carriers of bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause food poisoning if the meat is undercooked. However, proper handling and cooking of poultry can mitigate these risks.
In India, cases of avian influenza (bird flu) have been reported, but the risk of it spreading to humans is rare. Also, it usually occurs through direct contact with live, infected birds rather than from consuming properly cooked chicken. Scientific community advocates that it is not safe to eat raw chicken, so you should always properly cook it before eating. The poultry industry in India follows guidelines and safety measures to control disease outbreaks, ensuring that infected birds do not reach consumers.
We reached out to Regulatory Consultant Mr. Kamran Khan, for his take on the safety of poultry farmed chicken. He says, “Avoid eating poultry meat and eggs raw or partially cooked if they come from areas with bird flu outbreaks. However, it is important to note that, so far, there is no evidence that anyone has become infected with the bird flu virus from eating properly cooked poultry or poultry products. Thorough cooking kills the virus, even if there is contamination, making the meat and eggs safe to eat. This highlights the importance of cooking poultry correctly to reduce any health risks related to consuming these products.”
Deepalakshmi Sriram, Registered Dietitian at The Cleft & Craniofacial Centre and Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, says, “Like any other animals, poultry chickens can carry certain viruses, but the risk of getting sick from properly cooked chicken is extremely low. Cooking chicken thoroughly at the right temperature kills most harmful germs, including viruses and bacteria. It’s important for people to follow basic food safety practices, such as washing hands and cooking meat until it’s no longer pink inside. When handled and cooked properly, chicken is a safe and nutritious part of a balanced diet.”
There was also a previous claim suggesting that Cadbury Dairy Milk contains animal fats, which created a lot of stir among people. However, this is not entirely true.
Are the organisms in the viral video really viruses?
No, they are not. We did a reverse image search and found out that the organisms shown in the video are actually larvae of roundworms. These parasitic worms can infect various animals, including chickens, but they are not viruses. Roundworms can infect chickens when they ingest contaminated food or water, but this happens naturally and is not the result of deliberate feeding of contaminated substances.
Misidentifying roundworms as viruses in the video misleads viewers, suggesting a far more dangerous scenario than reality. Roundworm infections are more of a concern for chickens’ health, not necessarily a risk to humans consuming cooked chicken. Because, proper cooking can eliminate any risk of parasites.
Similarly, there has been a viral claim alleging that chicken spreads herpes to humans. However, this is completely baseless.
Is the use of medicines and chemicals in poultry farming harmful?
Not necessarily. In India, farmers use antibiotics and certain supplements in poultry farming to prevent diseases and promote healthy growth. However, people have raised concerns about the overuse of antibiotics, as it can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Indian regulations require farmers to use antibiotics responsibly, and they must ensure a withdrawal period before slaughter to ensure no residues remain in the meat. In India, poultry farming does not permit the use of growth-promoting hormones.
Most poultry farms in India adhere to these guidelines and allow chickens time to clear any medication from their systems before processing. Therefore, consuming chicken raised under regulated farming practices does not pose a significant health risk.
Is there any truth to claims of deliberate contamination of chicken feed?
Not really. There is no evidence to support claims that chicken feed is deliberately contaminated to infect poultry with worms or viruses. Chickens might accidentally ingest roundworms from contaminated soil or feed, but this is not an intentional practice. Farmers usually aim to prevent infections, not cause them, as healthy chickens are essential for sustainable production.
In India, poultry farmers follow regular monitoring, vaccination, and biosecurity measures to prevent disease spread. Additionally, any outbreak of a significant disease would lead to swift containment measures to protect both animal and human health, minimising the chances of contaminated chickens reaching consumers.
THIP Media Take
The claim that eating chicken makes you sick because they are fed harmful medicines and carry dangerous viruses is mostly false. While chickens can carry some pathogens, there’s no evidence they are deliberately given contaminated food or dangerous chemicals. The organisms in the viral video are roundworm larvae, not viruses. Regulated farming in India ensures chicken safety, and proper cooking eliminates most risks. The claim exaggerates potential dangers, creating unnecessary fear. Safe cooking practices are the best way to enjoy poultry without worry.
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