More than three-quarters of Australians mistakenly believe chicken produced locally in Australia contains added hormones and steroids. This is despite the fact that the Australian poultry industry ceased these practices nearly half a century ago, reports North Queensland Register. At that time, the Australian Government made it illegal to add hormones or steroids to chicken.

Steggles, one of the leading Australian producers of chicken products, commissioned a study by Newspoll among 1,000 people, and results showed that 76 per cent remained under the misconception that the use of hormones and/or steroids occurred in chicken production. This has prompted the Steggles organisation to address this consumer perception through a public education campaign.

Steggles Group managing director, John Camilleri, said: "I can assure all Australians there are absolutely no hormones or steroids added to any of our chickens.

"This is a fundamental commitment to our consumers.

"The use of cages in the chicken meat industry is another misconception. Cages are not used in our chicken meat farming operations across Australia. Steggles chickens are free to roam in custom-built, well-ventilated barns with constant access to food and water," Mr Camilleri said.

Technical staff are also engaged to specifically monitor and audit the welfare of our chickens.

He added: "Dispelling myths like these is important for our industry particularly considering the popularity of chicken in Australia."

Recent research showed that chicken is now the most consumed meat in Australia, overtaking beef, with one out of three people eating chicken at least three times a week.

"It is important consumers are fully aware of the facts about chicken farming and that Australian families can take great comfort in knowing that chickens in Australia are produced in accordance with the regulations and standards set by the statutory authorities and the industry," Mr Camilleri said.