Local growers urge consumers to buy whole chickens

MANILA, Philippines—Buy whole chickens.

Local poultry growers on Tuesday advised consumers, who fear that the poultry products in the markets might be infected with the H5N1 avian flu virus, to stick to buying whole chickens.

According to the United Broilers and Raisers Association, these chickens are most likely to come from within the Philippines, which remains bird flu-free.

“If they want to be sure that the chicken product has no bird flu, they should buy whole chickens,” Gregorio San Mateo, Ubra president said.

Cut-up chicken parts, he noted, are likely to be have been imported because they are cheapest to bring from abroad.