[Consumerwide_ Yohan, Bok Reporter] It's been confirmed that the franchise chickens can have a max 2 times difference in product weight. The Original of Kyochon chicken(625g) and the Ganjang chicken of Hosigi (679g) were discovered to have the least weight among chicken franchises on the market. In addition, it contained a higher nutrient content referring to the dietary reference intake (DRI) for a chicken.

This is the KCA(Korea Consumer Agency) investigation results of 24 franchise chicken products from 10 brands, which brands are preferred by consumers in Korea. On the 15th, followed by the KCA, the weight of a chicken had a max 2 times difference. Chickens with heavy weights were the Shocking hot chicken (Nene chicken) by 1234g, and the Shrimp gold seasoned chicken (Wife's house seasoned chicken/cheese taste) by 1101g. On the other hand, the Kyohchon Original (Kyochon chicken) by 625g and the Ganjang chicken (Hosigi) by 679g were measured as chickens with the least weight.

Natrium and sugar content per 100g of chicken had differences among products. The edible parts (excl. bones) of chicken contained an average 427mg(257mg~513mg) of natrium per 100g. Soy garlic chicken had 513mg (Nene chicken) of Natrium per 100g, the highest natrium content figure, while Kyochon Original(Kyochon/garlic soy sauce taste) had 257mg, the lowest natrium content figure.

The average sugar content per 100g was 7.4g(0.9g~18.5g), and the Kyochon Original had the least content at 0.9g. The Shocking hot chicken (Nene) and the Ttaengcho fire chicken(Hosigi/extreme spicy) each had 18.5g and 12.6g of sugar content, which were the highest among the test products. They had the highest capsaicin content (spicy taste) as well, which meant those products contained a strong spicy and sweet taste.

The calorie and nutrient content of a chicken were over the DRI. The calories of a chicken were 1554~3103kcal, which was 78%~155% of the estimated daily energy requirement (2000kcal/female). The three major nutrient content were carbohydrate 45-282g (14~87% of the DRI), protein 128~175g(233%~318%), and fat 71~174g(131%~322%). Saturated fat content for a chicken was 13~49g (87~327% of the DRI), cholesterol 541~909mg(180~303%), natrium 1272~4828mg(64~241%), and sugar 5~201g(5~201%). This means that the amount of chicken at one time needs to be controlled so that customers won't over-take nutrients.

The calories of the Shocking hot chicken(Nene) were 155% of the DRI, the highest, but the calories of  Gochubasasak(Goobne, spicy) were 78% of the DRI, the lowest. Saturated fat content for Cheese snowing(Nene) was 327% of the DRI, the highest, but the Ganjang chicken(Hosigi/soya& garlic sauce) and the Kyochon Red Original were 87% of the DRI, which were the lowest. The Cholesterol content of the Cheesebasasac(Goobne) was 303% of the DRI, the highest, and the Cholesterol content of the Soygarlics(BBQ) was 180% of the DRI.

If a customer was eating half of a chicken with one can of coke, he'll be taking 52% of sugar DRI (52g), but with a glass of beer he'll be taking 65% of calorie DRI. KCA has explained that chickens are deep fried with oil, so has high fat content. Moreover, the additional seasoning sauce contains quantities of natrium and sugar. For this reason, customers need to control intake at one time. However, only a few companies are participating on nutrient facts label.

Chickens are not obligated to label nutrient facts, but they are one of the most popular national foods, which contain high calories and saturated fat. Hence, for the sake of intake control, the nutrient facts label is necessary. Currently, only 4 companies among 10 companies (test takers) are indicating nutrient facts of products on their homepage. A KCI related person said, "Manufacturers are hesitating to participate because of the cost burden on nutrient analysis and management of facts according to each store's cooking condition. We will propose to the government and related facilities that they might help businesses to label nutrient facts without much burden.

Meanwhile, chicken costs varied from 16000 won to 22000 won for one chicken. Among test products, the Kyochon Original and the Ganjang chicken(Hosigi) cost 16000 won, while the spicy Kyochon Red Original and the Ttengcho fire chicken(Hosigi) cost 17000 won. Cheesebasasak (Goobne) and the Prinkle (BHC) cost 18000 won. (cheapest menu lineups)

On the contrary, the Ganjang THE han chicken(Yellow chicken/garlic&soya sauce), the Soygarlics (BBQ), the Gochujang THE han chicken(Yellow chicken/spicy) and the Hot gold olive red chakchak (BBQ) cost 21000 won, and Shrimp gold seasoned chicken (Wife's house seasoned chicken) costed 22000 won, which were the most expensive.