Stockists of imported American poultry must disclose publicly where, and in what form, the chicken is being sold, says Proudly South African, the government initiative aimed at encouraging South Africans to buy locally produced goods.

"We have received information that a large portion of the American chicken is allegedly being sold in the delicatessen section of a well-known retailer. If this is true‚ it would mean the chicken does not carry a ‘label of origin’ and consumers are therefore not able to make informed choices‚" said Proudly South African’s CEO‚ Leslie Sedibe.

American poultry was allowed into SA in March‚ to ensure the country could continue enjoying trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

But Proudly South African says retailers‚ shops‚ fast-food outlets and any other stockists of the imported American chicken should state publicly if they are selling the poultry.

"Let’s also remind consumers that by law‚ any item sold in SA must carry a label of origin stating on the packaging where the product comes from‚" Sedibe said in a statement.

"We think it would be very devious and deceptive if stockists are indeed using so-called ‘loopholes’ to hide the origin of the American chicken‚ such as selling it in cooked form in supermarket delis‚" said Sedibe.

Proudly South African applauded Nando’s SA‚ which said strongly in a statement that it used only fresh‚ whole South African chicken.