10
Loading video...
By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A doctor's warning about a popular grocery store item has gone viral on Instagram.
Racking up 1.4 million views, Dr. Tania Elliott (@drtaniaelliott), a dual board-certified allergist and immunologist, revealed four reasons why she avoids rotisserie chicken, citing concerns over its packaging and the potential presence of harmful ingredients.
In a viral video, Elliott, who is based in New York, picks up a rotisserie chicken in a store and explains why hot food in plastic packaging is problematic. She also highlights concerns about the additives and preservative solutions injected into pre-cooked poultry.
Read More on Food & Drink
"The chicken is in a plastic bag and under a heat lamp. Heating plastic can leach chemicals into your food," she told Newsweek.
...
The Dangers of Plastic and Heat Exposure
A December 2024 study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety found that frequent plastic exposure may increase the risk of heart disease. Animal research also suggests that even brief contact between hot food and plastic can harm heart tissue and gut bacteria.
While more research is needed, experts recommend:
- Avoiding plastic for hot food
- Reducing overall plastic use
- Supporting pollution control efforts
Newsweek also reached out to Aminah Taariq-Sidibe, manager of End Plastic Initiatives at Earthday.org, for insight.
She explained: "Rotisserie chicken is especially problematic because heat speeds up the leaching process. Plus, the chicken remains in contact with plastic for an extended period. The fats or acids in the oily chicken skin and marinades can further increase the migration of plasticizers and other chemicals."
What's in Your Rotisserie Chicken Packaging?
Taariq-Sidibe warns that rotisserie chicken containers are often made from the following plastics, which can release chemicals when exposed to heat or fatty foods
- Polypropylene (PP) – "Used in food containers due to its durability and heat resistance. It may contain antioxidants, plasticizers, and stabilizers."
- Polystyrene (PS) – "Found in some fast-food and takeout containers. Made from styrene, which is classified as a possible human carcinogen."
- Polyethylene (PE) – "A common plastic in food packaging that may contain UV stabilizers or antioxidants, which can leach into food, especially when heated. It may also release endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)."
- BPA (Bisphenol A) – "Often found in low-quality plastic containers. BPA is a known endocrine disrupter linked to hormonal imbalances and other health risks."
Concerns About Additives in Rotisserie Chicken
Elliott also highlights carrageenan, a common food additive used in:
- Drug encapsulation
- Edible films
- Food printing
While carrageenan may support gut health by increasing Bifidobacterium levels, research links it to gut inflammation. It can:
- Disrupt microbiota by lowering a member of the human gut microbiota called Akkermansia muciniphila
- Weaken the mucous barrier, leading to inflammation
- Increase inflammatory responses
- Raise Bacteroidetes levels while reducing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, which are crucial for gut integrity
People with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are especially at risk.
Instead of buying rotisserie chicken, Elliott suggests a healthier alternative: Buy raw chicken and roast it at home with olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper for a safer and healthier meal.
So far, the February 10 video that was filmed in Costco has received almost 16,000 likes and over 680 comments.
"Yikes, is nothing safe?" said one user and another wrote: "Everything we buy from the store is in plastic. So no peanut butter, cereal, chips, laundry soap, bacon...everything."
"The chickens at my Costco are sold and consumed before chemicals are released. They aren't under lights longer the 2 minutes!" said a third user.
Newsweek reached out to Costco via their online form.
Correction 03/18/25 03:41 a.m. ET: This story has been updated to amend Aminah Taariq-Sidibe's name.
Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines