Does this video show chickens being injected or inflated with unknown substances?
This video has been circulating on social media platforms such as Instagram, X, and Facebook. It depicts a factory where a tube or hose is being pushed into already skinned and cleaned poultry – ostensibly for human consumption.
Some claims focus on the unknown element of the tube or speculate about potentially harmful manipulation of meat to make it appear larger. Others specifically claim the video shows chickens being pumped full of harmful substances such as steroids, vaccines, or chemicals. The most viral posts seem to be located in America, with posters and commenters referencing American politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (who has been nominated by United States President-elect Donald Trump as Health Secretary) as someone who can “ban this stuff.” RKF Jr. is known for his controversial opinions on health issues such as vaccination, processed or GMO foods, and fluoride levels in drinking water.
We took a closer look at the video and, firstly, noticed that the birds pictured look more like ducks than chickens. Watching till the second half of the clip, a caption in Chinese pops up which further confirmed this. “制作鸭胚,开始充气” roughly translates to “processing ducks prepared for roasting, inflating starts.”
This gave us a clearer idea of the process being carried out in the video. When literally translated, “鸭胚” (yā pēi) means “duck embryo.” However, according to our research from Chinese-language sources, the term actually refers to a duck that has been pre-processed for roasting – this includes washing, removal of feathers, heads, necks, legs and internal organs, and having its skin “inflated.” We also found numerous listings on Chinese marketplaces which match this definition.
A further search of English-language sources shows that inflating or forcing air between the skin and meat of a duck is a well-established cooking technique that results in crispier skin when the duck is cooked. Specifically, this is an often used element of famous roast duck dishes such as Peking Duck.
On YouTube, a search for phrases such as “Beijing duck preparation” or “Chinese duck factory” produces numerous videos that employ this technique of skin-meat separation which exactly mirrors the claim video – from tutorials for home-cooks to documentaries about large factories which supply ducks to restaurants.
Despite a rigorous search, we were unable to find the original source of the video. However, the video does appear to be of Chinese origin – given the Chinese-language caption and that this specific preparation and processing method is very commonly seen in China. The earliest instance of this specific clip on an English-language platform that we could find was posted in October 2024 on Instagram (already without context or explanation). It was gradually reposted by other smaller social media accounts before going viral in December on X with over 19 million views on the most viewed post.
Therefore, claims about the video showing chicken being somehow harmfully adulterated or altered at food processing factories misrepresent what is actually taking place. The video shows ducks being processed in a factory, with each duck’s skin being separated from the meat using air pressure through the tube. We give this claim a rating of false.
The (rather dismaying) effectiveness of unknown or unfamiliar imagery in causing heated reactions is an issue that we often see being exploited in viral claims. A lack of familiarity with this particular cooking technique coupled with difficulty translating the Chinese text, and a growing sense of suspicion over food adulteration allowed this claim to gain traction.
While it is wise to be cautious about the food we consume, it is also important to avoid reactionary or inaccurate claims in order to make informed choices.
