Realgood's Stated Antibiotic Policy
When evaluating frozen food options, many consumers prioritize clean labels and high-quality ingredients. Realgood Foods has built its brand around these values, and a central part of that messaging is its stance on antibiotics in its chicken. The company’s marketing and product information consistently state that its chicken is raised without antibiotics. This practice is a key selling point for a brand that aims to distance itself from heavily processed, low-quality frozen dinners.
Realgood Foods' mission, as outlined on its corporate website, is to provide nutritious and accessible frozen foods that are high in protein and low in carbs and sugar. The company’s commitment to "real food ingredients" is a cornerstone of this brand identity. By ensuring its chicken is antibiotic-free, Realgood Foods caters to a growing consumer base that is increasingly wary of how their food is produced and its potential impact on health.
What 'No Antibiotics' Actually Means
For consumers, understanding label claims like "No Antibiotics Ever" (NAE) or "Raised Without Antibiotics" is critical. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates these labels to ensure they are accurate.
- No Antibiotics Ever (NAE): This is one of the strongest claims, meaning no antibiotics of any kind were used at any point during the animal's life. This includes during its growth and for disease treatment.
- Organic: For a product to receive the USDA organic seal, the animals must be raised without antibiotics. This provides a third-party verified assurance of antibiotic-free sourcing, along with other organic farming requirements.
- Antibiotic-Free (Residue): It's important to distinguish between antibiotic-free claims and the absence of antibiotic residue. Due to required withdrawal periods, all chicken, regardless of how it was raised, should not contain antibiotic residues by the time it reaches the processing plant. The "no antibiotics" label is about the process of raising the animal, not just the final product's residue level.
Realgood Foods' declaration of using "No antibiotics" on specific product packages, like its lightly breaded chicken strips, signals a commitment to a process that avoids the routine use of antibiotics. This distinguishes it from conventional chicken, where antibiotics may be used more frequently for disease prevention or growth promotion.
Realgood vs. Conventional Chicken
| Feature | Realgood Chicken | Conventional Chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | No antibiotics used during the chicken's life. | Can be raised with antibiotics for disease prevention and growth promotion. |
| Primary Goal | High protein, low carb, real ingredients for health-conscious consumers. | Maximizing production volume and efficiency. |
| Labeling | Explicit "No antibiotics" claims on packaging. | May not have explicit antibiotic labels; if it does, it could be NAE, Organic, etc.. |
| Sourcing | Focus on transparent, real-food ingredients as a core brand principle. | Sourcing can be opaque, often relying on conventional, large-scale farming practices. |
| Processing Concerns | Classified by EWG as having moderate processing concerns due to ingredients like oils. | Processing levels vary, but mass-market products are often highly processed. |
The Broader Context of Antibiotic Use in Poultry
Globally, there's a significant push to reduce the overuse of antibiotics in food-producing animals due to concerns about antibiotic resistance. Organizations like the World Health Organization have issued guidelines recommending against the routine use of antibiotics to promote growth. When considering brands like Realgood, consumers are participating in this larger movement towards more responsible food production practices. While the occasional use of antibiotics to treat sick animals is sometimes necessary, Realgood's "no antibiotics" stance indicates a commitment to a higher standard.
How Realgood's sourcing reflects its brand
- Health and Wellness Focus: Realgood's mission is centered on health and wellness, so sourcing chicken without antibiotics is a logical extension of its core values.
- Consumer Trust: By explicitly stating its antibiotic-free policy, Realgood builds trust with consumers who are increasingly demanding transparency from food brands.
- Market Differentiation: In a crowded frozen food market, this claim helps Realgood stand out from competitors that use more conventional sourcing methods.
Realgood Foods leverages its antibiotic-free claims to appeal to a specific audience looking for cleaner, healthier frozen options. However, consumers should remain diligent, cross-referencing brand claims with third-party assessments like those from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which has flagged some Realgood products for other concerns, such as processing levels. For example, EWG noted that while some products contain desirable ingredients, other aspects might indicate a level of processing that could concern some consumers.
Conclusion
In short, based on its product labels and company messaging, Realgood chicken does not use antibiotics in the raising of its chickens. This is a core component of the company's brand, emphasizing its commitment to producing healthier, low-carb, and low-sugar frozen meals with real food ingredients. The "no antibiotics" claim is verified by the USDA and distinguishes Realgood's chicken from conventionally raised poultry. However, shoppers should always read product labels carefully and consider the broader nutritional profile of any frozen meal, keeping in mind that "no antibiotics" does not necessarily mean "no processing". Ultimately, Realgood's stance on antibiotics is a strong indication of its focus on catering to health-conscious consumers in the frozen food market.
