Upmarket UK retailer Waitrose has announced plans to introduce the UK's first chicken product that also provides a source of omega 3.
The new omega 3-enriched chicken, unique to Waitrose, is provided by Northern Ireland's, Moy Park. The chickens receive a diet enriched with algae - the same family of plants as kelp and seaweed - which is rich in omega. The taste and appearance of the chicken remains the same as conventionally-fed chicken, according to the grocer.
Reported health benefits of omega 3 include a lower risk of cardio-vascular disease, as well as helping to maintain normal heart, brain and vision function.
Waitrose is launching the product in partnership with Moy Park and animal nutrition specialist Devenish Nutrition. The product, ten years in the making, was created as a result of medical concerns that consumers are not getting enough omega 3 in their diet.
Waitrose's Agricultural Director, Heather Jenkins, said; "Our research is showing that this nutritional breakthrough has the potential to have a significant impact on health. What's exciting is that it's improving the nutritional content of something which customers already consume frequently as part of their diets."
A total of 10 new omega 3 chicken products will be on sale in Waitrose from 15 June, including whole chickens, breast fillets and thigh meat.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aoife Lawless. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
