Don't change chicken dates

It said in a statement that it did not want to comment on the practices of local chicken producers.

"However, as we are totally committed to the maintenance of high standards of quality, and consumer safety and assurance, it is of great importance... to state that we are not in favour of the changing of expiry or best before dates," it said.

It also believed that any change in "form" through processing, injecting of brine, marinade or flavouring, should be explicitly labelled.

Controversial claims

The statement followed controversy over claims that a South African company, Supreme Poultry, was "reworking" frozen birds after their expiry date and sending them back to supermarkets for human consumption.

Supreme denied the claims, which it said were made by a disgruntled employee fired for alleged sexual harassment.

It said re-working occurred on a limited scale, and was conducted "in accordance with the protocols as dictated by the department of agriculture".

The association said in Thursday's statement that total chicken imports into South Africa over the 12 months to September, excluding mechanically deboned meat, amounted to 13,6347 metric tons.

Quality clarification

"It is very important to clarify that imported chicken is not injected with brine, marinade, or 'flavour enhancers'," it said.

"Imported chicken is of a high quality and complies with minimum European Union import standards from an animal health and quality perspective.

"South Africa has amongst the most stringent meat and chicken import requirements of all importing countries in the world."

Source: Sapa