A YouTube video uploaded by the channel “Experiment_bhaiya” claims that consuming broiler chicken can cause early puberty in girls. With over 39 million views and more than a million likes, the video has got people talking about the claims.

“So today we have broiler chicken, which is consumed as a non-vegetarian staple food in the whole of India. For these chicks to grow up healthy, they need at least 3 months. But as traders aim for profits, they inject the chicks with an antibiotic called colistin and feed them high protein, and in 40-45 days make the chicks weigh up to 2-3 kilograms,” the creator says. 

He continues: “If boys eat these chickens there isn’t much of a side effect but if young girls are to eat them, then even 7-10 year old girls will see physical changes in their bodies as they will reach maturity quicker, and their periods will also get affected, and with time they might even get uterus cancer.” 

But what are the facts true?

Colistin, an antibiotic, has historically been used in poultry as a guard against infections, but its use has become controversial due to the risk of antibiotic resistance. While colistin may still be used in some developing countries, its use is increasingly restricted, and it is not universally applied to all broiler production. The primary driver of rapid growth is selective breeding and nutrition. 

Regarding the second claim, which says eating broiler chicken causes early puberty and health issues in young girls, including an increased risk of uterine cancer, two studies published in peer-reviewed journals have addressed this exact question.

Both studies conclude that broiler chicken consumption doesn’t lead to early puberty or cancer in girls, and term it a myth. 

The studies indicate that early puberty is more strongly linked to factors such as genetics, high-fat diets, and consumption of processed foods, not specifically to broiler chicken meat. While one study found a correlation between high meat consumption and early puberty, it did not establish causation. The other study from India states that junk food consumption, high-fat diets, and genetic predispositions are more likely causes of early puberty than broiler consumption.  

The study titled “Impact of poultry consumption by adolescent females – An analytical study”, also from India, also confirms that poultry consumption doesn’t lead to early puberty. 

As for the incidence of uterine cancer, studies have not found any correlation with poultry consumption. 

“Most studies have, however, found no association between high poultry consumption and the development of cancer, though several studies demonstrated a positive association with thyroid cancer,” says this report. 

Also read: FACT CHECK: Are broiler chickens injected with hormones and steroids?