Understanding 'Processed' Food
Before we can definitively answer, "Is Great Value chicken breast processed?", we must first understand what 'processed' means. The term is not black and white, but rather a spectrum. The simplest form of processing involves actions like cutting, freezing, and packaging—for example, a whole chicken being butchered into breast fillets. This is considered minimal processing. At the other end of the spectrum is ultra-processing, which involves adding multiple ingredients like preservatives, flavor enhancers, and stabilizers to significantly alter a food from its natural state, such as in the case of a chicken nugget. Many pre-cooked and canned meats fall somewhere in the middle. The key is to look at the ingredients list to determine the extent of processing.
Frozen Great Value Chicken Breast: Minimally Processed
The most straightforward answer pertains to the raw, frozen boneless, skinless Great Value chicken breast. These products are labeled as "all-natural*" and "minimally processed, no artificial ingredients". The asterisk typically refers to federal regulations that state "minimally processed" means the food is processed in a manner that does not fundamentally alter the product. For these frozen breasts, the ingredients are listed simply as "BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT, CHICKEN BROTH AND SALT".
What the Ingredients Mean
- Chicken Broth and Salt: The addition of chicken broth and salt is a common industry practice known as 'plumping' or 'enhancing'. It adds moisture and flavor, preventing the chicken from drying out during cooking and freezing. While it adds sodium, it is not considered ultra-processing. EWG's rating of low processing concerns for certain frozen Great Value chicken products confirms this minimal level of modification.
Canned and Grilled Great Value Chicken: Moderately Processed
In contrast, other Great Value chicken products, like canned chunk chicken breast and pre-cooked grilled strips, undergo a higher degree of processing. These are not just minimally altered cuts but have multiple ingredients added for texture, flavor, and preservation.
- Canned Chunk Chicken Breast: According to the EWG, canned Great Value chicken can be classified with moderate processing concerns. Its ingredient list includes chicken, water, sea salt, modified food starch, sodium phosphates, and flavorings. The added phosphates and flavorings are what move it further along the processing scale.
- Grilled Chicken Breast Strips: EWG also gives these pre-cooked strips a rating of moderate processing concerns. They contain an even longer list of additives, such as soy protein concentrate, various forms of sugar (dextrose, brown sugar), yeast extract, and disodium inosinate and guanylate to enhance flavor. These additives signify a significant departure from the whole-food state.
Comparison of Great Value Chicken Products
| Feature | Frozen Boneless Skinless Breasts | Grilled Chicken Strips | Canned Chunk Chicken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing Level | Minimal | Moderate | Moderate |
| Key Ingredients | Chicken breast, broth, salt | Chicken breast, water, soy protein, sugars, additives | Chicken breast, water, modified starch, phosphates, salt |
| Convenience | Requires full cooking | Pre-cooked, just reheat | Fully cooked, ready to eat |
| Sodium Content | Lower (added salt) | Higher (multiple additives) | Higher (canning and additives) |
| Artificial Ingredients | No artificial ingredients | Multiple additives | Multiple additives |
| Flavoring | Enhanced with broth/salt | Enhanced with sugars and yeast extract | Enhanced with flavorings |
What to Look for on the Label
To make an informed decision, always check the product label, not just the marketing claims on the front of the packaging. The list of ingredients and the nutritional information are the most reliable indicators of a food's processing level. A long list of chemical-sounding additives or a high sodium content typically points toward a higher degree of processing. You can also utilize resources like the EWG Food Scores database to get processing ratings for specific items.
Conclusion
In summary, the question "Is great value chicken breast processed?" does not have a single answer, as it depends on the specific product. The raw, frozen boneless, skinless chicken breast is minimally processed, with only broth and salt added for flavor and moisture. However, pre-cooked options like grilled strips and canned chunk chicken are moderately processed, containing a more extensive list of additives and flavor enhancers. For those seeking the least processed option, the raw, frozen product is the clear choice. For convenience, the tradeoff involves consuming more additives and higher sodium levels. The best approach is to always read the ingredients and choose the product that aligns with your dietary goals.
Great Value's product page at Walmart provides additional details on specific items.
