FORT LEE, Va., 2015-8-13— /EPR Retail News/ — Commissary shoppers in South Korea will begin to see cooked poultry products back on shelves by Labor Day.
On July 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a revision to Korea’s embargo to allow heat-treated poultry and poultry products from the U.S. Learning the news, the Defense Commissary Agency quickly placed orders with its U.S. suppliers to restock the shelves of commissaries in South Korea with cooked poultry products.
“Frozen dinners, pot pies, nuggets, lunch meats, franks, Lunchables and other popular cooked poultry products will begin to arrive by early September,” said Wayne Walk, DeCA’s zone manager in Korea. “With school starting back up, this is great timing for parents packing lunches and for anyone looking for easy-to-prepare meals.”
South Korea’s embargo had restricted the entry of all poultry products into the country since last December when the U.S. announced the presence of avian influenza in live poultry flocks in Oregon and California, followed by additional outbreaks in other U.S. states.
Uncooked poultry from the U.S. is still restricted by the embargo, but DeCA has alternate sources for uncooked poultry to replace many of the items it previously received from U.S. suppliers.
“We offer fresh, uncooked chicken and eggs from Korea,” said Walk. “We have whole chickens, chicken breasts, boneless thighs and drumsticks. These products are not frozen and are ready to take home and cook immediately.”
Commissaries also began offering chicken from Australia this month.
“Shoppers will find Steggles of Australia chicken in the freezer section in tray packs,” said Walk. “Steggles is supplying our commissaries here in Korea with chicken products that have historically been popular with our shoppers – skinless, boneless breasts and thighs; tenderloins; wings and drumsticks.”
“We’re working continuously to provide our customers with the very best service and product assortment,” said Walk. “The embargo has been an opportunity for DeCA to work a little harder to ensure military members and their families stationed in Korea have the products they need when they use their commissary benefit.”
The USDA advises consumers to always follow proper handling and cooking processes when working with poultry. Food safety and avian influenza information can be found in the USDA Food Safety and Avian Influenza Questions and Answers, April 2015.
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About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. Shoppers save an average of more than 30 percent on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings amounting to thousands of dollars annually. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.
Media Contact:
Kevin L. Robinson
(804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773
kevin.robinson@deca.mil