WHAT HAPPENED: Two systematic reviews funded by the National Chicken Council and conducted by researchers at Purdue University were presented as posters this week at NUTRITION 2026, the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting. Both reviews examined prospective cohort studies to assess whether poultry consumption is associated with chronic disease risk.
WHAT DID THE STUDIES FIND?
Cardiovascular disease: Researchers screened 2,293 articles and included 32 in the final analysis. The review found that higher poultry consumption (roughly 1 to 6 oz/day) was not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity, mortality, or the combination of both, across the large majority of comparisons. Substituting fish, plant foods, dairy or eggs with poultry showed no association with CVD outcomes, and replacing red or processed meat with poultry was linked to no association or a decreased risk in most comparisons.
Type 2 diabetes: Researchers screened 1,441 articles and identified 21 assessing T2DM morbidity. More than half of comparisons between higher (~35-82 g/day) and lower (~0-10 g/day) poultry intake showed no association with T2DM morbidity, and two-thirds of food-substitution models similarly showed no association.
NCC’s TAKE: “This research adds even more weight to the evidence base behind chicken’s role in what we’re calling the Protein Moment, which is really a Movement,” said NCC spokesperson Tom Super. “As the new Dietary Guidelines take shape, as the Make America Healthy Again movement pushes for real food and real nutrition, and as families look for the best nutrition per calorie and per dollar, chicken keeps proving itself as a lean, affordable, versatile protein with no downside for heart health or diabetes risk. Add in the GLP-1 trend we’re already seeing reshape how Americans eat, and it’s clear: chicken isn’t just meeting the moment, it’s built for it.”
WHAT’S NEXT: The research papers will be submitted to a prominent nutrition journal for peer-review before they are published. Once published, NCC will look for opportunities to put this research in front of dietitians, researchers and media covering the nutritional value of chicken.
WHAT HAPPENED: New consumer research commissioned by the National Chicken Council (NCC) and WATT Global Media, conducted online by Circana in June 2026, finds that GLP-1 medications and artificial intelligence are rapidly changing how Americans shop for, prepare and eat chicken. The survey polled 535 U.S. fresh chicken buyers ages 18-67 and was presented this week at the 2026 Chicken Marketing Summit. A full copy of the presentation is available here.
Funding for the survey was provided by Elanco Animal Health, NCC and WATT Global Media.
WHAT ARE THE KEY FINDINGS:
- GLP-1 use has more than doubled. Twenty-seven percent of respondents said they or someone in their household has used a GLP-1 medication, up from roughly half that share two years ago. These consumers reported snacking less, eating out less, drinking less alcohol, and eating more poultry, fruits and vegetables.
- AI has moved from novelty to everyday tool. More than half of fresh chicken buyers now use AI for recipes and meal inspiration, and about a third use it for meal planning or grocery shopping — with usage up across every category and younger consumers leading adoption.
- Fresh chicken’s position is strengthening. Sixty-four percent of respondents said fresh meat is the best source of protein, up from last year. Consumers also showed a willingness to pay more for free-range, antibiotic-free and locally sourced claims, with Millennials showing the strongest premium tolerance.
- Convenience still matters. Fast preparation time remains the top meal-prep priority, and six in 10 consumers buy groceries online or via a mobile app at least monthly.
NCC’s TAKE: “Chicken is uniquely positioned to meet consumers where they are — whether they’re managing a health goal, short on time or looking for AI-powered meal inspiration,” said Tom Super, spokesman for the National Chicken Council. “This research reinforces why chicken remains America’s protein of choice.”
WHAT’S NEXT: As GLP-1 adoption and AI-assisted shopping continue to climb, expect chicken marketers and retailers to lean further into messaging around freshness, production claims and quick-prep formats to meet consumers where these trends are heading.
Erkin Peksoz, protein practice principal at Circana, delivers the results of the 2026 chicken consumption survey
WHAT HAPPENED: Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen has been named the recipient of the 2026 Chicken Marketer of the Year award, presented this week at the 2026 Chicken Marketing Summit. The award recognized Popeyes’ bold pickle-themed marketing campaign, which turned a limited-time menu launch into a cultural event, driving record guest traffic and widespread consumer engagement.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: “We are proud to recognize Popeyes as the winner of the 2026 Chicken Marketer of the Year,” said Elizabeth Doughman, editor of WATT PoultryUSA and Poultry Future. “This year’s finalists showcased outstanding creativity and strategic thinking, but Popeyes stood out by building an immersive campaign that extended far beyond the menu. Every customer touchpoint reinforced the same message, creating excitement, driving conversation and ultimately delivering measurable business results.”
The award was accepted by Shelli Laskowitz (L), senior manager, poultry innovation, and Shivangi Singha, senior manager, innovation & activation, both of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.
From July 27–29, industry leaders gathered at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, FL for three days of networking, insights and information. Here are a few photos from the event, courtesy of WATT Global Media and Paul Ward Photography.
Chicken Marketing Summit Sponsors
NCC Chairman and Simmons Foods COO David Jackson kicks off the event on Tuesday
Keynote speaker Kevin Ryan, founder/CEO, Malachite Strategy and Research, who discussed the GLP-1/high-protein consumer opportunity for chicken
Questions from the audience
NCC’s Tom Super moderates a session
Christine McCracken, executive director, animal proteins at Rabobank spoke about navigating the forces reshaping the broiler industry
L-R: WATT’s Terrence O’Keefe moderates a panel discussion with Kevin Ryan; Josh Gillespie, vice president of sales, Baader Food Systems; and Walker Byrnes, research engineer, Georgia Tech Research Institute. The panel discussed how artificial intelligence applications are helping to drive continuous improvement in efficiency, bird welfare and food safety
Winners of the annual Bill Roenigk Golf Tournament with a score of (-10), L-R: Brian Mullins, Amick Farms; Ryan Barden, Supply Management Services; Scott Shultz, Tip Top; Alex Williams, Amick Farms
Longest Drive Winners: Tami Bugas, wife of Pete Bugas with ProBin Global; and Chandler Keck, husband of Hannah Keck with USPOULTRY
Women’s Closest to the Pin: LeAnn Risbrudt, TFC Poultry
Men’s Closest to the Pin: Thomas Super, son of Tom Super with NCC
WHAT HAPPENED: The House passed a $95 billion budget reconciliation measure on July 22 by a vote of 216-214. The blueprint would pave the way for reconciliation legislation providing up to $73 billion in additional military funding tied to the conflict with Iran, $12 billion in assistance for farmers, and $10 billion to implement new voting requirements. Three Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.), Warren Davidson (Ohio), and Independent Kevin Kiley (Calif.), who caucuses with Republicans — voted against the measure, joining all Democrats present in opposition.
The package includes the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, impose new photo ID requirements for federal elections, and limit voting by mail. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Vice President JD Vance developed the framework for the measure last week. House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) described the military funding portion as supporting near-term readiness needs.
WHAT IS BUDGET RECONCILIATION? Reconciliation is a fast-track process that lets certain budget-specific bills pass the Senate with a simple majority (51 votes), avoiding the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster. It starts with a budget resolution setting specific spending targets and directing committees to draft legislation to meet them. Those pieces are then packaged into one final bill. Provisions must have a direct budgetary effect under the Senate’s “Byrd Rule” — policy provisions without a clear fiscal impact can be removed by the parliamentarian.
This is why some senators have questioned whether some, or any, of the SAVE Act’s voting provisions will be included in the final bill.
As a result, the bill includes $10 billion in the form of a grant program, which would be given to states to adopt stricter voter ID measures that are the aim of the SAVE Act. This is designed to be compliant with the Byrd Rule.
This is the third time this Congress that Republicans have used reconciliation to advance a major legislative package. The Senate parliamentarian has already ruled that the SAVE Act cannot be included in a reconciliation package. However, Speaker Johnson has requested a federal fund from which states could draw to implement voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements.
SENATE GOP CONCERNS: Several Senate Republicans have raised concerns: Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (Miss.) said the measure does not provide enough defense funding relative to the $1.5 trillion requested in the president’s budget, while Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Thom Tillis (N.C.) have objected to including the SAVE Act, questioning whether its provisions meet the procedural requirements for reconciliation.
WHY IT MATTERS: The agriculture assistance funding was linked by several lawmakers to economic pressures — including rising fuel and fertilizer costs — tied to the conflict with Iran. The measure represents one of the larger legislative vehicles this Congress for potential agriculture sector aid, though specifics on eligible commodities, funding levels, and allocation formulas have not been finalized. The bill’s fate in the Senate — including whether the SAVE Act provisions survive procedural review under reconciliation rules — and the scope of the eventual agriculture title remain open questions that will shape how any assistance is structured and who qualifies.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Senate must act on the House-passed resolution before reconciliation instructions can proceed, and Thune has linked the timing to broader government funding negotiations ahead of the September 30 deadline. If the Senate passes the resolution, four committees — including the House and Senate Agriculture Committees — would draft the underlying reconciliation legislation. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) said he expects to hold a markup shortly after Labor Day, with the House now in a five-week recess. Thompson said he is focused on directing agriculture funding toward row and specialty crop growers and sawmills, and is reassessing his earlier proposal of roughly $5 billion for specialty crops given the larger $12 billion figure now under discussion.
