TORONTO -- Sandwich restaurant chain Subway, with more than 44,000 worldwide locations, including over 5,000 units in convenience stores, is hitting back against a recent report that it is serving fake chicken on the menu in Canada.
CBC Marketplace, a Canadian business-news program, alleged that Subway’s chicken sandwiches feature meat that is only 50% chicken rounded out by other fillers, including soy protein.
"The allegation that our chicken is only 50% chicken is 100% wrong,” said Suzanne Greco, Subway’s president and chief executive officer. Subway asserted that CBC Marketplace used inaccurate data to make the claim and stated that the chain uses “100% real chicken.”
In response to the claim, Subway enlisted independent labs in both the United States and Canada to test all of its Canadian chicken products. Findings showed that while there is soy protein in the chicken’s spices, seasonings and assorted marinades, the soy content totaled less than 1%. The testing also concluded that the meat in Subway’s chicken sandwiches is indeed chicken.
Cambridge, Ontario-based Grand River Foods is Subway’s chicken supplier in Canada. Its processing plant is overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Grand River Foods also hit back against the 50%-chicken claim.
“As reported to CBC Marketplace before the segment aired, Subway chicken strips and oven-roasted chicken are made from 100% white meat and contain 1% or less of soy protein. We use this functional ingredient to help stabilize the texture and moisture. The erroneous findings of the Wildlife lab used by the CBC for testing of the samples are as incredulous as they are impossible,” said Grand River Foods.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.