They’re cheap, convenient, and found on shopping lists in every Australian household.

However, one health expert has issued a chilling warning about supermarket rotisserie chickens, calling them ‘absolutely never, ever’ safe to eat.

Dr Daniel Pompa, a US cellular health specialist who regularly shares wellness advice with his 1.7 million Instagram followers, has slammed the cult grocery staple in a video that has left many shoppers stunned.

‘I’m going to tell you what never to eat when you come to these places,’ he began in his latest clip that has amassed 178,000 views, gesturing towards a display of golden-brown birds cooked and kept warm under heated lamps.

‘First of all, they sell it on “no preservatives,” “no artificial flavours,” and “no artificial colours,”‘ he pointed out.

‘But you have to understand [that] non-organic chicken is filthy – don’t ever eat it.’

He continued by saying that it only gets worse when they put cooked chickens in plastic and keep them under hot lights for long periods of time.

‘I would argue there are bad oils in there and all kinds of other bad things, but you put that chicken in that plastic, under those lights… don’t buy into the marketing.’

Health US expert, Dr Daniel Pompa (pictured) has issued a chilling warning about supermarket rotisserie chickens, calling them ‘absolutely never, ever’ safe to eat

His blunt warning comes as mounting research reveals how dangerous plastic can be when combined with hot, oily foods like roast chicken.

A December 2024 study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety found that frequent exposure to plastic may increase the risk of heart disease.

Animal research also suggests that even brief contact between heated food and plastic can damage heart tissue and gut bacteria.

Rotisserie chickens are especially concerning because the process that keeps them warm also accelerates chemical leaching.

The longer the chicken sits sweating in its plastic dome under fluorescent lights, the more toxins can seep into the meat.

The problem is made worse by the oily marinades and fatty skin, which act as carriers for those chemicals.

The packaging itself isn’t as harmless as it looks either.

The clear domes and black trays commonly used for hot chooks are often made from plastics that contain additives, stabilisers and, in some cases, even endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

His blunt warning comes as mounting research reveals how dangerous plastic can be when combined with hot, oily foods like roast chicken

When exposed to high heat, substances such as styrene and BPA can migrate into food, raising concerns about cancer risks, hormonal disruption, and long-term health problems.

For everyday shoppers who see a rotisserie chicken as the ultimate quick fix for dinner, the warnings are sobering.

Experts say the safest approach is to avoid hot food packaged in plastic, reduce overall exposure to it wherever possible, and opt for fresh or organic options instead.

But Dr Pompa’s advice couldn’t be more straightforward.

His message is that shoppers should think twice before reaching for that $12 chicken after work.