Purchasing poultry

When purchasing poultry you should pay special attention to the origin of meat, expiry date and the recommended storage temperature. 

 

Healthy and fresh

The poultry we have on our plates should be healthy, fresh, of good quality and processed in the proper way. Therefore it is important to already be cautious when buying it. When buying food pay attention to its origin and choose the products with top quality and “varuje zdravje” labels. The producer has to guarantee that the food you consume is truly healthy and pristine.

Look and smell

In order to enjoy a delicious poultry meal, you should first inspect the product thoroughly before buying it. Poultry needs to be pink or light red in colour, not too pale, as this would indicate that the meat has been on the shelf too long. The meat also has to look elastic and full. When buying fresh meet it is advisable to smell it. In case you detect an unpleasant smell you should choose a different piece or not buy it at all. When buying packed meat, make sure the packaging is intact.

Know your poulterer

It is important to know who you are buying the meat from. Purchases from private poultry farmers and on markets are most risky since the hygiene standards there are often not considered adequately and the meat origin is not always clear. Buying from shops is not absolutely safe either if the seller does not meet all the hygiene standards and guidelines. Especially regarding chicken. All chickens bred by Perutnina Ptuj breeders are fed with all-natural poultry feed, mostly consisting of corn, soya, wheat, minerals and vitamins. Therefore we can say: A healthy chicken for a healthy meal.  A healthy meal for a healthy body.

Buy fresh

In the summer months it is advisable to buy truly fresh meat in smaller quantities, as you cannot refreeze raw meat after you have thawed it. Moreover, in the summer the quality and health of the purchased meat can already be compromised on your way home when the meat can thaw in the summer heat. It is advisable to store frozen meat in the home refrigerator or freezer within 30 minutes after the purchase, making sure it has not been exposed to high temperatures in the meantime. We suggest you use an insulated cooler bag. The meat should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days. Check the label on the packed meat; the label on the frozen meat has to state frozen meat and the label on the fresh meat has to state fresh meat. This is important so as to prevent the seller from selling you thawed frozen poultry meat as fresh.

Read the packaging labels

When buying poultry, or any other food, you should read the labels on the packaging carefully. In the care for its consumers, the European Union has specified the information every producer has to put on the packaging. The information about the expiry date is required by law therefore do not buy meat where the expiry date is not stated. Refrain also from buying packed poultry where the expiry date is illegible. Also check the information regarding the producer or importer, the composition of packaging, the mass, the series and the origin. Health-conscious consumers also pay attention to the list of additives used in the meat preparation.

Information on origin

Information on the origin and the meat processing manner have become increasingly important in recent years, as consumers want to know where and how the poultry is bred and the meat processed. More and more people buy the meat with top quality labels, veterinary labels, labels of geographic origin or the “Varuje zdravje” label. The European Union has made the way to a high quality meat easier, as the meat with the EU origin carries standardised labels awarded only to products meeting the required standards.