TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A post claiming that certain parts of chicken should not be consumed has been circulating on X [archive] and Facebook accounts since November 2025 to January 2026. The parts of chicken that should not be eaten include the buttocks (brutu), head, neck, feet (ceker), internal organs (jeroan), skin, and intestines.
These chicken parts should not be consumed because they are considered to contain substances that are harmful to health. For example, the buttocks are said to contain lymph nodes, while the head and neck are considered to contain bacteria and viruses. The feet have high levels of saturated fat, the offal contains purines and cholesterol, and the skin contains high levels of fat and cholesterol.
But is it true that these parts of chicken are not safe to eat?
FACT CHECK
Tempo's Fact Check team verified this claim by interviewing health experts and citing a number of health websites. The result is that it is not true that these parts of chicken are not safe to eat.
Nutritionist and founder of Dr. Tan Wellbeing Clinic and Remainly Special Needs’ Health, Tan Shot Yen, stated that all chicken parts mentioned in the circulating content are safe to consume. For example, saturated fat in chicken is essential for complementary foods for infants, whose nutritional needs differ from those of adults.
"Chicken parts such as the gizzard, head, neck, offal, skin, and so on are safe to eat. If they're unhealthy, then the chicken isn't healthy either," Tan Shot Yen told Tempo on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Claim 1: Buttocks or gizzards
According to Dr. Jovita Amelia, M.Sc, Sp.GK, a Clinical Nutrition Specialist at Ciputra Hospital Citra Garden City, gizzards contain a lot of fat and protein, as well as oil glands (uropygial glands), which produce oil that chickens use to groom their feathers.
An article titled "The Pope's Nose (Chicken Butt) Is A Nutritional Powerhouse" mentions that a recent study published by the Nutrition and Dietary Studies of America found that the pygostyle, or small, heart-shaped fold where the tail feathers gather, is a very rich source of nutrients.
Gizzards are not only a good source of protein, but also contain high concentrations of iron and calcium.
Claim 2: Chicken Necks
Chicken necks are high in protein, which supports muscle growth and repair. They are also rich in collagen, which promotes healthy skin, joints, and connective tissue.
Minerals in chicken necks, such as phosphorus and selenium, support bone health and the immune system. Due to their low carbohydrate content, consuming chicken necks is suitable for low-carb and keto diets.
Chicken necks provide a good source of iron, which aids in oxygen transport and energy production. They can support gut health when used in bone broth due to their gelatin content.
Claim 3: Feet or Feet
Chicken feet are high in collagen and fat. "Feet are high in collagen and both unsaturated and saturated fats," says Jovita.
Healthline reports that chicken feet are quite nutritious and contain many vitamins and minerals. Approximately 70% of their total protein content is collagen, a structural protein that provides shape, strength, and resilience to your skin, tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments.
Evidence suggests that collagen intake can improve skin hydration, firmness, elasticity, and density. Chicken feet are also a good source of folate (vitamin B9), which aids DNA synthesis and helps prevent birth defects.
Claim 4: Internal organs or offal
According to Jovita, offal, such as liver and gizzard, contain high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, which can increase bad cholesterol or LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein). Offal is also rich in purines and cholesterol.
Similarly, intestines are rich in purines and cholesterol. "Intestines that are not properly prepared will certainly harbor bacteria," said Jovita.
A study published on the National Library of Medicine website states that chicken liver and gizzard are the richest sources of protein, comparable to the protein content of some muscle tissues. Furthermore, liver contains higher amounts of vitamins than other by-products studied.
Discover.grasslandbeef.com also reports that gizzards offer many delicious and nutritious benefits compared to offal. If you're looking to add a new protein source to your diet, gizzards are a great choice because they offer a wealth of nutritional value without an overpowering flavor.
Claim 5: Chicken Skin
Similar to offal, Jovita states that chicken skin also contains saturated fat and cholesterol, which can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol. However, the medical and health communities have included chicken skin as part of a healthy diet. Its high fat content, mostly unsaturated fat, can support heart health by being linked to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Chicken skin also contains beneficial oleic acid, and its saturated fat supports the immune system and hormone production. The amino acid glycine in chicken skin may have anti-aging properties because it helps increase collagen production. Collagen helps maintain our skin's elasticity.
Although chicken skin is no longer considered unhealthy for the diet, this does not mean it should be consumed in excess.
CONCLUSION
Tempo's verification concluded that the claim that chicken parts such as the giblets, neck, feet, offal, and skin should not be eaten is false.
TEMPO FACT-CHECK TEAM
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