A startling revelation has come to light, exposing the source of “fresh” chicken sold at Lidl stores in the Czech Republic as originating from Ukraine. The chicken undergoes a complex journey, being transported to Slovakia where it is then packaged before being sold as fresh meat in the Czech Republic. The exact duration of the journey from Ukraine to the Czech Republic remains undisclosed.

Initially, the chicken was marketed as being of Slovakian origin, but closer inspection of the label revealed its true source as Ukraine. EU Poultry, the brand responsible for the chicken, is owned and operated by WE Trade based in Slovakia. However, the chickens themselves are procured from Ukraine, as explicitly mentioned in the FAQ section of the EU Poultry website.

Despite public outcry on social media, the producers have refrained from openly disclosing the Ukrainian origin of the chicken. The affordability of the product compared to locally sourced alternatives has made it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers. However, the Czech Agrarian Chamber and the Czech-Moravian Poultry Union have cautioned that Ukrainian food standards do not align with the stringent requirements of the European Union.

Recently, the State Veterinary Administration (SVS) discovered 3.5 tons of problematic chicken originating from Ukraine within the Czech Republic. In response, the SVS has intensified its scrutiny of imported poultry meat, revealing instances of salmonella contamination within some of the chicken samples.

The revelation of Ukrainian-sourced chicken being sold in the Czech Republic has sparked a wider debate concerning food standards and the quality of imported meat. Consumers are urged to exercise caution and carefully read product labels when purchasing meat items, while also considering supporting local producers who adhere to higher quality standards.

Article by Prague Forum