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EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

absolutely disgusting chicken

NorthernChic18398

28

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 14:29

Sorry but I have to post this - I stopped at Spinney's last night for 2 x spatchcock chickens and some salad and french bread - really looking forward to something a little different.

the chicken was so disgusting we gagged.

it was pumped full of cr*p - no idea what is was, certainly not flavour but the consistency didn't even resemble chicken - it took almost 30 mins extra to cook and we just couldn't eat it.

surely buying fresh chicken should be just that - fresh & chicken - this was neither.

who can we report this abuse of food to - if only Jamie oliver or similar was here to do an expose....
or do we just not buy spinney's chicken on the black trays.. - I wasted 18 AED on each chicken, and didn't even risk feeding it to the dog & cat..

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5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 14:33

I just weighed one of my chickens to see, he is 3 1/2 months old and weighs just over 600grams, feathers n all! But he is fed only the finest...lol ETA he would probably be heavier if he was fed minced up chicken in pellet form as they do in some factories edited by vero possumus on 17/03/2011 Best get the syringe out LOL!

596

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 14:16

Thank you for your explaination and pleased to see you are aware of differences of the term in countries in the world but unfortunately many people do not , hence my comment , "Who really understands the term organic ". This term can be loosely used in some countries and as food is sent around the world there are times when we purchase organic and it may not be as organic as we think. What is your understanding of organic ? Chickens in the UK are not always the best and how many buyers are fooled by the people they deal with and do not even realise it. Who really ubderstands the term organic ? I do. For me, it'd be a product that has been produced without using commercial pesticides, fertilisers or GM elements, in a manner that respects the environment and is sustainable. In terms of production, it also involves not using any artificial colourings, flavourings or other additives. I would also argue that you have to also consider food miles as part of the organic process, so the act of shipping/ flying "organic" produce half way across the world to put on our shelves goes against the philosophy behind it. I know that the Soil Association (UK) has amongst the most rigorous criteria in Europe, so I trust that above all other organic certifications. For example, a farm needs a 3 year transition before being able to call its produce "organic". French organic certification allow some pesticides that the UK doesn't. In essence, it's the kind of food you would be able to produce at home (if you had lots of land and an amazing herb garden!). Oh, and just a little gem to finish... did you know that Xanthan gum is produced from the secretions of a bacteria that grows on cabbages? Hmmm.... yummy! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanthan_gum edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 17/03/2011

vero possumus37927

876

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 09:14

I just weighed one of my chickens to see, he is 3 1/2 months old and weighs just over 600grams, feathers n all! But he is fed only the finest...lol ETA he would probably be heavier if he was fed minced up chicken in pellet form as they do in some factories <em>edited by vero possumus on 17/03/2011</em>

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 00:21

What is your understanding of organic ? Chickens in the UK are not always the best and how many buyers are fooled by the people they deal with and do not even realise it. Who really ubderstands the term organic ? I do. For me, it'd be a product that has been produced without using commercial pesticides, fertilisers or GM elements, in a manner that respects the environment and is sustainable. In terms of production, it also involves not using any artificial colourings, flavourings or other additives. I would also argue that you have to also consider food miles as part of the organic process, so the act of shipping/ flying "organic" produce half way across the world to put on our shelves goes against the philosophy behind it. I know that the Soil Association (UK) has amongst the most rigorous criteria in Europe, so I trust that above all other organic certifications. For example, a farm needs a 3 year transition before being able to call its produce "organic". French organic certification allow some pesticides that the UK doesn't. In essence, it's the kind of food you would be able to produce at home (if you had lots of land and an amazing herb garden!). Oh, and just a little gem to finish... did you know that Xanthan gum is produced from the secretions of a bacteria that grows on cabbages? Hmmm.... yummy! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanthan_gum <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 17/03/2011</em>

596

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 20:39

What is your understanding of organic ? Chickens in the UK are not always the best and how many buyers are fooled by the people they deal with and do not even realise it. Who really ubderstands the term organic ? I do.

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 20:38

Chickens in the UK are not always the best and how many buyers are fooled by the people they deal with and do not even realise it. Who really ubderstands the term organic ? I do. Consumers aren't as stupid or powerless as some providers would like to believe. I don't know if you were there or saw the chicken thing in the UK, but basically it kicked off with a wonderful BBC documentary educating the public about the processes and putting the big supermarket chains on the spot. Properly on the spot... and demanding explanations. The public outcry was such that the supermarkets had to change. They do still keep pumped up chicken and whatnot as their basic range, and the price shows that, but the consumer can choose what they go with. Recently there was another documentary (can't remember if it was Panorama or Dispatches) that looked into the conditions of chickens that then went on the supply the various Tescos ranges. It was properly warts and all and got Tesco to make an official announcement to try and curb the inevitable backlash.. Another one would be Jamie Oliver's School Dinners. Obviously, this kind of thing falls on some deaf ears who either don't mind or don't care, but there were enough of us signing the subsequent petition to get the government to change schools' policy.

596

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 20:37

Well hung meat is a deep red colour . It's not just the Chicken... the Spinneys Beef Sausages, which my kids loved, are now 'bright red'... but at least the ingredients notes "colour" as one of the ingredients... unfortunately it does not note "Which" red colour they use... and my DS1 is highly sensitive to these artificial colours... my opinion is that if the meat on its own does not make a lovely pink sausage, then there is something wrong with the meat! I'm moving more veggie every day... and it's not because I don't like meat!!

2222

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 20:35

To the OP, i really don't mean to sound harsh but when you spend AED 18 on a chicken that has been prepared and seasoned - what do you really expect. If you take say AED5 as cost on preparation and additional ingredients you are in essence spending about AED13 on the actually chicken. This chicken has probably lived for what 4 months? 5 months (no idea how old a chicken is when we eat them) - it's not really going to be of the best quality or taken care of in the best way when the amount of money spend on it is probably in the range of AED 1 a month (if you take away profit).

596

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 20:27

Unfortunately we pay less of a percentage on food now then many years ago and have got used to cheaper food but some still expect excellent quality. With the times we are in I find it hard to pay higher prices for good quality food but reading some of these threads I do wonder at times do some people know what they are talking about ? On a bad day we might think something is terrible but on a better day it might be ok. Chickens in the UK are not always the best and how many buyers are fooled by the people they deal with and do not even realise it. Who really ubderstands the term organic ?

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 19:53

When you say food from Organic, do you mean an organic range or a place called Organic? Organic Foods & Cafe. One in the Greens, one in Dubai Mall.

940

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 19:39

I get my fresh chicken from Carrefour ( French Halal ). They have 2 qualities one farm organic and another one corn fed. Both are excellent. While cooking they do not release water like the other chickens and are good value for money.

353

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 19:35

When you say food from Organic, do you mean an organic range or a place called Organic?

sarahkay68627444

306

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 19:34

why are chickens for sale here so small? Nando's seem to manage to get big birds

155

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 18:34

It's not just the Chicken... the Spinneys Beef Sausages, which my kids loved, are now 'bright red'... but at least the ingredients notes "colour" as one of the ingredients... unfortunately it does not note "Which" red colour they use... and my DS1 is highly sensitive to these artificial colours... my opinion is that if the meat on its own does not make a lovely pink sausage, then there is something wrong with the meat! I'm moving more veggie every day... and it's not because I don't like meat!!

5400

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 18:09

How do you know if stuff has been redated? And is the "fresh" British pork for sale really not defrosted?

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 18:05

lol HAK, that's about the same as Aus prices isn't it? 11GBP is about 65AED? 15GBP approx 90dhs? ;) Anyway, that vile 'chicken' in the supermarkets is just inedible. I used to enjoy my occasional Organics splurge. :D

199

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 18:02

Ok check out Freshdirect.com if asked for a zipcode just enter 10013.. Organic chicken breast is 7.99 a pound. A container of blueberries. 2.99 Ground beef that is hormone free is 6.99 a pound

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:59

....50AED for 2 organic chicken breasts. ... Depending on their size, that's not 'expensive'. It's just that the rubbish chicken available in the supermarkets is disturbingly cheap in Dubai. I always wondered just how anyone up the chain from the supermarkets actually got paid for the chicken when it's so cheap on the shelf... With apologies for the Australian comparison, we're paying 50dhs or more per kilo for supermarket chicken here. Organic chicken is over 100dhs per kilo. yeah, you see, in the UK we pay about £11/ kg for supermarket chicken (which is no longer pumped full of gunk and water since there was a public outcry a few years back) and £15/kg for organic. I love UK supermarkets!

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:46

....50AED for 2 organic chicken breasts. ... Depending on their size, that's not 'expensive'. It's just that the rubbish chicken available in the supermarkets is disturbingly cheap in Dubai. I always wondered just how anyone up the chain from the supermarkets actually got paid for the chicken when it's so cheap on the shelf... With apologies for the Australian comparison, we're paying 50dhs or more per kilo for supermarket chicken here. Organic chicken is over 100dhs per kilo.

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:42

I can't remember the number, it's floating round on a card somewhere, but it's the head office you need.

vero possumus37927

876

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:34

dont waste your time, I have been in email contact with the lady from Spinneys, and she just lies and lies some more. The reason they have had salmonella issues is because they re-date re-freeze re-everything.

NorthernChic18398

28

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:32

For complaints about Spinneys products, you need to contact their marketing department. They do take it pretty seriously. do you have their details hand by any chance? could you post?

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:13

For complaints about Spinneys products, you need to contact their marketing department. They do take it pretty seriously.

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:08

I took the ingredients list issue here up with Waitrose in the UK and bless them, they took it very seriously (maybe it was my irate argument of how detrimental it was to their brand image to sell something that they would never dare to in the UK!)... anyhow, the long and the short of it is that local suppliers had too high a salmonella incidence, so they had to import frozen halal chicken, which then *had* to go through a marinating process to make it palatable. o_O They then agreed that the packaging should be changed to show it was defrosted meat, which in fairness they have done since my email. Anyhow, I now only buy "fresh" chicken breasts from Al Maya. They are plump, but remain firm and at least don't ooze gunk! I simply can't justify paying 50AED for 2 organic chicken breasts. We now also eat a lot of fish... and pork sausages (again from Al Maya since they brought in a proper sausage butcher!) Saying that, I try not to buy anything formed - so burgers, meat-balls, even the kofta meat or pre-marinaded kebab bits. I now make it all myself, so at least I know what goes into it. This came after the rather surreal experience of buying burgers that didn't change colour with cooking - they stayed a very raw pink even when they were cooked through (too cooked for my liking, but it was weird!)

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 16:56

the spatchcock chickens at spinneys have an ingredient list that is shocking. Spinneys ALWAYS re-date meat & chicken items. It has taken me 30 years to realise that they cannot be trusted. I buy Al Falaj chicken breasts, they are hormone free and no filler. I was disappointed when I bought burgers from Spinneys that had been re-dated. I expected better from them. Older and wiser now. Is Al Falaj chicken locally produced, and if so, is it widely available?

78

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 16:54

I stopped eating chicken last year after reading about this on EW. I get the fresh turkey sausages from Carrefour and Butterball turkey ham that come in packs. I don't know how "fresh" the turkey sausages are though but they taste fine.

vero possumus37927

876

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 16:47

the spatchcock chickens at spinneys have an ingredient list that is shocking. Spinneys ALWAYS re-date meat & chicken items. It has taken me 30 years to realise that they cannot be trusted. I buy Al Falaj chicken breasts, they are hormone free and no filler.

277

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 16:29

I always buy the chicken from Organic as I'm over sensitive when it comes to chicken...I recently test the turkey from Carrefour ( packed in vid and comes from France ? as my friend told me) and found it to be very testy ...

Kaye McIntyre380

51

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 16:23

the spatchcocked ones used to be ok but they have started to TENDERISE them! I had one 2 weeks ago on the BBQ and it took ages to cook and was such a gross texture I binned it. I buy only al Rawdah or al Khaznah chicken, they are small but are normal looking...

Sticky Wicket36659

1511

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 15:40

They change all the dates on their chickens, looked at some yesturday in Spinneys, packed on 10th and had date till 18th on fresh imported yellow ones for 120 dhs. 8 days?? right!

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