But despite Chloe’s suspicions that the chicken may be gangrenous - and other social media user’s fears that it may be a cyst or abscess - a Coles spokesperson believes it’s something less sinister.
Speaking to New Idea Food, the spokesperson says she believed the raw chicken in question has been affected by deep pectoral myopathy - also known as 'Green Muscle Disease' or ‘Flapping Wing Syndrome’. And while Coles maintain that it’s not how they’d like their chicken to present to shoppers, it’s not dangerous to eat.
'Deep pectoral myopathy is a green discolouration of the flesh caused by swelling from oxygen deficiency in the muscle,’ says the spokesperson. ‘This can occur if the bird flaps its wings too much.
‘If the chicken has been consumed, it is not harmful, but this is not how we want our chicken to reach our customers. We have strict quality standards that our poultry partners work to and this chicken should not have been packed.
‘Coles encourages the customer to contact our Customer Care team so we can follow up their complaint.
‘As always we encourage customers to return any item they’re not 100% happy with to their nearest store for a full refund or replacement.’
This isn’t the first time a shopper has complained after buying a Coles chook affected by deep pectoral myopathy. Earlier this year, two separate customers reported finding green flesh in their Coles Hot Roast Chicken.
