TESCO "Water Chicken"

hogweed

On Saturday, I bought some TESCO “Everyday Value Tikka Sliced Chicken”.

I found each package to be swimming in water. I attach a photo. Admittedly my eyes aren’t what they were, and I didn’t have my glasses with me – however, I didn’t see water listed as an ingredient; and I’ve been cooking chicken for decades, and it doesn't naturally contain enough water for it to dribble out! The chicken itself seemed soaking wet.

So why is this product soaking wet? Where did the water come from? I think I remember something from TV years ago about the chicken being pumped full of water by some technique, thus reducing its cost drastically but, in effect, making us pay for water.

Would you want to eat it?


If attaching this picture works, you can see the pool of water in the bottom of the package - I examined several others, and they were all the same.

SailorSam

I've seen those Tv programmes where they go into meat factories and you see them pumping water into the stuff. It's the same with bacon sometimes isn't it.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

yes, adds weight to the product, and when you cook it you get the white scum.

dlusman

hogweed wrote: »

On Saturday, I bought some TESCO “Everyday Value Tikka Sliced Chicken”.

I found each package to be swimming in water. I attach a photo. Admittedly my eyes aren’t what they were, and I didn’t have my glasses with me – however, I didn’t see water listed as an ingredient; and I’ve been cooking chicken for decades, and it doesn't naturally contain enough water for it to dribble out! The chicken itself seemed soaking wet.

So why is this product soaking wet? Where did the water come from? I think I remember something from TV years ago about the chicken being pumped full of water by some technique, thus reducing its cost drastically but, in effect, making us pay for water.

Would you want to eat it?


If attaching this picture works, you can see the pool of water in the bottom of the package - I examined several others, and they were all the same.

But you havent bought "chicken". You have bought "chicken in Tikka Marinade". The liquid will come from the marinade ?

hogweed

dlusman wrote: »

But you havent bought "chicken". You have bought "chicken in Tikka Marinade". The liquid will come from the marinade ?

Don't think so. The marinade is quite a sticky orange thing, and doesn't seem to penetrate the chicken, which remains white in colour - and even if you wipe the marinade off, and squeeze the chicken, water comes out.

Edwardia

In 2012, OH bought some pork chops from Tesco. Not in a sauce, no marinade or coating on them just plain pork chops and not value range either. The label on the outside gave no indication of 11% added water, glucose syrup or additives. On the back of the label, only accessible once opened, it did give us this info, which we felt was alarming.

Since then we've only eaten organic or wild food.

Adding marinade etc to food adds value for the manufacturer/supermarket. It allows them to hide cheaper cuts/ingredients with flavourings and additives.

alanq

No water listed as ingredient. Claims "Prepared from 108g of raw chicken per 100g of finished product". Are you sure liquid is water? "Rice bran oil" appears fairly high in ingredients list.

Chicken has been frozen and shipped from Thailand.

http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=264786045

hogweed

alanq wrote: »

Are you sure liquid is water?

Yup - definitely water

sarah1972

As its previously been frozen its probably from where it has been defrosted.


Storage:
Keep refrigerated.
Once opened consume within 2 days and by 'use by' date shown. This product was
previously frozen and has been restored to chill temperature under carefully
controlled conditions. Defrosted: It is still suitable for home freezing

zaax

Buy it form your local butcher

geordie_joe

sarah1972 wrote: »

As its previously been frozen its probably from where it has been defrosted.


Storage:
Keep refrigerated.
Once opened consume within 2 days and by 'use by' date shown. This product was
previously frozen and has been restored to chill temperature under carefully
controlled conditions. Defrosted: It is still suitable for home freezing

And then further down it says

Defrosting:

Defrost thoroughly for a minimum of 12 hours in the refrigerator and use
immediately.
Once defrosted, do not refreeze.