A recent study by a consumer's association has found that chicken products in the United States contain up to four times more arsenic than other types of meat products. Organic compounds of arsenic are added to chicken feed mixed with antibiotics and anti-parasitic drugs to promote growth and fend off diseases. Drinking water may also contain arsenic due to contamination from arsenic pesticides from chicken manure. Chicken poop tainted with arsenic is also fed to other conventionally raised animals.

Although consumers would never make a deliberate decision to buy arsenic and eat it, people are eating arsenic every time they eat chicken. Slaughtered chickens retain arsenic in the meat and in more concentrated amounts in their livers, not only in the form of organic arsenic, but also in its toxic inorganic form, which is a known carcinogen.

Although Americans are generally not exceeding the consumption of what is considered safe levels of arsenic by the World Health Organization, the average American is ingesting between 21.13 and 30.59 micrograms of toxic inorganic arsenic daily according to researchers. A United Nations committee suggests a limit intake of arsenic of no more than 15 micrograms per 33 pounds of body weight per week. Arsenic causes cancer. Many experts agree that ingesting arsenic is unsafe no matter what the level, as its effects are cumulative. Not surprisingly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture neither tests chicken parts such as breasts and thighs nor does it make results of individual brands available. Here is yet another reason to avoid eating meat or, at the very least, avoid meat from conventionally raised animals. Organic animals are not intentionally given arsenic in their feed, as it is a prohibited practice according to the organic standards.