Woody breast is a muscle myopathy found in certain chicken breasts. While non-harmful to humans, the condition, often caused by high levels of hormones, makes the poultry tough and unpleasant to consume.

The Certified Quality Reader (CQR) is a handheld device that utilises bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA) to detect woody breast. This new technology provides producers, distributors and retailers an easy and accurate spot check tool and methodology.

Woody breast is one of the largest problems affecting the poultry industry today. Current estimates suggest that 10-20 percent of the 9 billion broilers harvested in the US annually contain some level of woody breast. Estimates also suggest this challenge costs the poultry industry more than $200 million annually. As consumers encounter woody breast, they blame the brand, supermarket or restaurant and seek alternatives.

“Our Certified Quality Reader assesses the physiological condition of poultry in real-time," said Dr Keith Cox, chief scientific officer, CQ Foods. “This device allows anyone to quickly measure broiler fillets for wooden breast detection with no significant changes to the production process,”

The CQR was developed by CQ Foods in collaboration with Dr Amit Morey of Auburn University. The partnership brought together expertise aimed at effectively and efficiently analyzing muscle myopathy in broilers breasts. Numerous studies were conducted with the CQR able to produce high confidence results.

“This CQR addresses today’s pressing billion dollar poultry industry problem that is affecting consumer acceptability of the high valued breast meat,” said Dr Amit Morey of Auburn University. “It truly is revolutionary in its technology and application.”