Stop Buying Chicken From These 7 UK Supermarkets — Here's Why

Overview

In the last six months, the video claims that three major investigations into UK chicken have been published, but that “almost nobody” is focusing on what the reports found. The presenter, Luke, says he reviewed UK Food Standards Agency contamination data, animal welfare reports, and thousands of customer reviews to identify supermarket chicken to avoid and a few options he considers safer/better.

His core argument is a recurring pattern across certain retailers:

• Fast-growing birds and intensive farming
• Weaker welfare/antibiotic practices
• Misleading marketing about what consumers are actually buying

He links health risks to both:

• contamination, and
• antibiotic resistance.

Main “avoid” brands (and why)

#7 Sainsbury’s

• The video alleges Sainsbury’s rescinded an animal-welfare award, admitting it couldn’t meet commitments made previously.
• Claims fewer than 20% of its chicken meets RSPCA standards, and that much of its range uses fast-growing breeds raised intensively.
• For processed products, it alleges about 60% of nuggets/processed items is reformed meat rather than whole cuts.
• Health claim: phosphate additives are alleged (via peer-reviewed research) to be linked to faster progression of kidney disease when consumed regularly.
• Includes a customer anecdote claiming the chicken reportedly stayed pink even after very long cooking.

#6 Morrisons

• The video argues Morrisons tried to suppress an investigation after TV presenter Chris Packham examined its supply chain.
• Claims around 60% of its chicken range is heavily processed (nuggets/reformed/breaded shapes).
• Allegations that supply chains route through Eastern European facilities with different antibiotic/welfare practices.
• Health claim: reports of chicken that turns slimy quickly are framed as indicating higher bacterial load and a higher risk of Campylobacter (positioned in the video as a common UK food poisoning cause).

#5 Co-op

• Despite an “ethical” reputation, the video alleges Co-op’s supply uses the same intensive, fast-growing farming as discount retailers.
• Claims suffering “white striping” disease common in budget chicken (affecting fat/protein).
• Says Co-op makes welfare commitments, but the video argues there’s a gap between documentation and real practice.
• Calls for transparency and third-party verification, specifically referencing a “Better Chicken Commitment.”

#4 Tesco

The video frames Tesco’s scale and purchasing power as creating a “race to the bottom” where suppliers compete on price rather than welfare standards.

• Allegations:
  • Up to 18% added water by weight in chicken
  • shoppers may be paying for water with salt/phosphates to improve absorption
• Health claim: added sodium phosphate intake is alleged to link to cardiovascular stress (especially for people with high blood pressure), and Tesco is said to have high bacterial contamination rates per FSA testing.
• References the 2013 horse-meat scandal as an example of past oversight failures, arguing conditions haven’t meaningfully improved.

#3 Asda

• The video criticizes Asda’s use of reassurance branding (e.g., Red Tractor).
• Allegations that substantial volumes come from Poland via a supplier called SuperDrob, which the video says was exposed in 2024 for systematic use of antibiotics banned in the UK.
• Claims imported birds are then packaged under labels implying care/quality.
• Reports alleged high rates of white striping disease plus high fat and reduced protein.
• Health claim: banned antibiotic residues are said to contribute to antibiotic resistance in human gut bacteria (citing European food safety concerns).
• Includes customer anecdotes about early spoiling/odor and a complaint where staff allegedly blamed packaging/deflected responsibility.

#2 Aldi

The video contrasts Aldi’s practices in France vs. the UK:

• Claims Aldi France signed the Better Chicken Commitment (with improved welfare measures), while Aldi UK refused to sign it.

Allegations for UK Aldi chicken:

• High disease rates (white striping), fast-growing breeds, and slaughter in about five weeks or less
• Claims “Ashfield Farm” is presented like a brand name rather than a real farm with genuine outdoor/pastoral conditions

Customer reports in the video describe rubbery/stringy texture and bland flavor consistent with inadequate development time.

#1 Iceland

The video says Iceland poses the most serious risk, moving beyond welfare/marketing into public health and antibiotic resistance.

• Claims Iceland sources heavily from Thailand and Poland, including the same supplier (SuperDrob).
• Allegations from undercover footage: birds allegedly unable to walk, open wounds untreated, and extreme stocking density.
• Antibiotic resistance claim:
  • the video states about 24% of UK supermarket chicken samples carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria
  • it argues higher-antibiotic regions show higher resistance rates
  • it frames this as contributing to drug-resistant infections, citing WHO and UK government projections of future deaths.

“Worth buying” alternatives (the better list)

The presenter argues that if the “avoid” list is about compromises tied to speed and welfare, then these alternatives better align with welfare standards and reduced antibiotic use.

Ocado

• Claims Ocado sells exclusively RSPCA Assured chicken and avoids routine antibiotics.
• Positioned as a practical upgrade that may cost closer to standard supermarket pricing than expected.

Waitrose

• Claims Waitrose achieved 100% Better Chicken Commitment compliance across its range (as of August 2025).
• Mentions use of slower-growing Hubbard breeds.
• Cites organic/sustainability detail for organic farmers: 70,000 trees planted for bird welfare (shade/shelter/enrichment).
• Claims antibiotic use is around one-third of the national average, with noticeable cooking/quality differences.

Marks & Spencer (M&S) Fresh

• Says M&S was an early adopter of Better Chicken Commitment standards (from 2022).
• Claims antibiotic use in its fresh chicken is below one-quarter of the industry average and that it uses slow-growing breeds with RSPCA Assured status.
• Important caveat: the video distinguishes M&S fresh chicken (whole cuts) from processed/reformed/coated products, warning against the latter (including referencing a 2023 salmonella recall tied to breaded products).

Certified organic

Presented as a standard rather than a single retailer:

• Claims outdoor access, natural behaviors, and slower growth (10–12 weeks vs ~5 weeks)
• Claims organic chicken has dramatically lower incidence of white striping disease (about 11% vs 92–94% in the video’s framing for budget supermarket chicken)
• Adds the claim that organic chicken can be better value per meal than watered-down, processed products

Overall conclusion

The video’s concluding thesis is that many supermarkets sell chicken shaped by profit-driven production (speed over welfare) and marketing that hides trade-offs. It advises consumers to choose differently to signal dissatisfaction:

• the “avoid” brands are described as relying on customers not checking closely
• the “good” options are described as offering measurable advantages in welfare, antibiotics, and quality

Presenters or contributors

• Luke (presenter/narrator)
• Chris Packham (mentioned as a TV presenter who investigated Morrisons)