Have a question about America’s best stuffed chicken breast? We’ve compiled a list of popular questions and tell you more than you’d ever want to know about Barber Foods and the stuffed chicken breasts for which we’re famous. If you need additional assistance, click here.
Our Products & Policies
What is Your Product Guarantee?
When Gus Barber opened the doors of his corner meat shop in 1955, he made a simple promise — to serve the very best to his customers. It's the same promise we keep today. If you're ever not completely satisfied, please let us know, and we'll make it right.
Get in touch with us by visiting "Contact Us" page on our website.
(We typically process refund requests within two weeks of when they are received.)
Are Barber Foods products hormone-free and antibiotic-free?
In accordance with Food & Drug Administration regulations, no hormones can be used in the raising of chickens ... ever. So, yes, all Barber Foods products are hormone-free.
To help protect against antibiotic resistance, Barber Foods' poultry suppliers restrict the use of antibiotics to disease prevention, control, and treatment, as prescribed by a licensed poultry veterinarian. To help protect human and animal health, Barber suppliers are required to adhere to guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Are your chickens treated humanely?
We are committed to the well-being, proper handling and humane slaughter of all animals used in our food products and require all suppliers to meet or exceed the standards set forth by the industry’s governing bodies.
In addition to adherence to nationally accepted animal welfare guidelines, our suppliers are required to commit to the following:
- Third-party, independent audits
- Employee training programs
- Zero-tolerance animal cruelty policies
- Code of conduct hotlines or equivalent “whistleblower” reporting systems
How does Barber Foods make sure it provides the highest quality meats?
We are committed to providing you with the highest quality products made from the highest quality ingredients. We source from Category 1 suppliers — deemed best-in-class suppliers by the USDA — to uphold our high food safety and quality standards, and we regularly audit our suppliers to ensure they are in compliance with our requirements.
Are your products Kosher? Halal?
No, our products are not Kosher or Halal.
Where are your raw materials sourced?
All of the meat in our products is sourced directly from the United States. Some of the specialty spices we use to achieve our distinctive flavors, however, cannot be found in the U.S. and are sourced from other countries.
What does “rib meat” mean? I thought your products were made of all-natural chicken breasts?
USDA regulations require all chicken breast packaging to state that there may be minor amounts of rib meat in the product, which happens when a chicken breast is not completely trimmed and separated from the meat around the rib. We strive to provide you with all-white meat chicken breasts.
Do you use real cheese in Barber Foods products?
Yes, we only use real cheese.
Do you offer coupons?
We often feature coupons on our website’s homepage. As you sign up for a coupon, you also can elect to receive regular Barber Foods news updates.
If you encounter problems when attempting to print coupons from our website, the following are common causes:
- The user does not have the proper software or is using an incompatible browser to print the coupon. Be sure that you have Java installed prior to attempting to print your coupon. We also suggest using Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer when attempting to print your coupon. At this time, versions 42 or higher of Chrome are not supported.
- The user is experiencing computer technical difficulties. Please be sure that the printer is functioning properly by testing it first.
- The user already has printed a coupon within the last 60 days. If you’ve recently printed a coupon, you may have to wait 60 days before printing another. This varies by promotion.
Our Preparation Recommendations
Should I thaw my Barber Foods frozen items before I cook them? What is the proper handling of your products?
No, do not thaw our products before cooking them. They also should never be prepared in a microwave. Barber Foods products should always be prepared in an oven in accordance with the validated cooking and safe handling instructions on our packaging. Just as with any raw chicken product, the internal temperature of the chicken must reach at least 165℉ to be considered safe to eat. (Note: We always recommend using a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature as improper oven calibration and baking dish selection may require adjusted cooking times.)
Click here to learn more about proper cooking and handling of raw chicken.
Why can’t I microwave the product?
While our frozen, raw stuffed chicken breasts are coated in a golden-fried breading, which makes them appear cooked, they need to be treated the same as any other raw chicken product. Microwave ovens can create uneven heating causing some spots to be undercooked. Consuming raw or undercooked chicken increases the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Click here to learn more about the proper cooking and handling of raw chicken.
When I opened the carton, the film was open. Is the product safe to eat?
We do not recommend eating the product if the packaging is not properly sealed. You should either return it to the store for a refund or replacement, or contact our customer service department at 1-877-447-3279 with your product information so we may send you a coupon for a free product or refund your purchase price.
My product is freezer-burned. Is it still safe to eat?
Yes, a product with freezer burn can be safely cooked without the risk of foodborne illness; however, please note that freezer burn dehydrates the product so it might not deliver the same great taste and quality you’ve come to expect from Barber Foods.
After cooking, I noticed a white film over the product. What is it? Is it safe to eat?
Moisture in the chicken combined with the release of whey protein from the cheese and butter in the stuffing can occasionally cause a “white film” to appear after cooking the product. It’s completely natural and safe to eat.
What is the shelf life of Barber Foods frozen stuffed chicken breasts?
If kept frozen, our products are recommended for consumption up to one year from the time of purchase. In addition, the outside of each carton is stamped with a “best used by” date. Please note that prolonged freezer storage causes products to develop freezer burn, which will prohibit you from enjoying the highest quality eating experience.
Where can I find information about allergens and dietary restrictions associated with Barber Foods products?
All allergens such as milk, soy and wheat are noted on the packaging of each product. The information can be found under the ingredient listing on the last line that begins with, “contains.”
Should I be concerned about Salmonella in this product?
Salmonella is inherent to raw chicken. While every effort is made on the farm and in our facilities to reduce the prevalence of Salmonella, those preparing raw chicken — whether it’s a chef at a restaurant or a consumer at home — are the final, critical link in the food safety chain. You can fight the threat of Salmonella by following the validated cooking instructions on packages containing raw chicken. Salmonella is eliminated when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. (If you are baking more than one raw stuffed chicken breast, all pieces should be checked with a meat thermometer.) Click here for some helpful tips.
Does Barber produce gluten-free products?
No, our products are not gluten-free.
Barber Fast Facts
Which stores carry Barber Foods products?
Our products can be found in grocery stores and retail clubs across the U.S. and Canada. To find a store nearest you, use the store locator tool located at both the top and bottom of each page on our website.
Where can I find Barber Foods raw, frozen stuffed chicken breasts in my store?
Our raw, frozen stuffed chicken breasts can typically be found in the frozen entrée aisle with other frozen meats and entrées. Barber Foods fully cooked items are sometimes located behind frozen doors near the refrigerated fresh meat section.
Please keep in mind that all store layouts vary. If you experience issues locating our products in your store, please ask the store manager or customer service desk for more information.
What is the Barber Foods commitment to corporate social responsibility?
Together with our parent company, AdvancePierre Foods, we are committed to our responsibility as a food industry leader, an employer and an environmental steward. Click here to read more about how our approach to business involves balancing social, environmental and financial impacts.
How do I get in touch with you to learn more about Barber Foods and its products?
We’d love for you to connect with us on social media to stay up to date on all things Barber Foods. Or, you can get in touch with us by visiting "Contact Us" page on our website.
Our History and Heritage
When and how was Barber Foods Started?
Barber Foods, originally called Barber Beef and Poultry, started as a corner meat shop in Portland, Maine, in 1955 with just one employee, a sharp knife and a truck.
The founder, Gus Barber, was the son of hard-working immigrants. He was known for giving customers what they wanted — and sometimes a little more. Gus found inspiration in unexpected places, which is how he became one of the first butchers to sell chicken by the piece. That same imagination led him to start breading and stuffing his chicken — an idea that changed his corner meat shop forever.
When did Barber Foods start making stuffed chicken breasts? Why?
Gus Barber was one of the first people to start selling cut-up chicken to local grocers, but true to his hard-working standards, he still believed he could do things a little better.
While in the frozen aisle of a new Texas grocery store, Gus pulled out a box of frozen stuffed potatoes and one landed on his foot. It was that moment when inspiration struck.
Gus tried the same idea with chicken in 1970, and that’s when the first frozen stuffed chicken breasts got their start as an entrée featuring Thanksgiving-style stuffing. It was such a crowd-pleaser that he soon introduced Chicken Cordon Bleu and Chicken Kiev varieties.
When did Barber Foods become part of the AdvancePierre Foods family?
AdvancePierre Foods acquired Barber in 2011 and upholds Barber’s pledge to bring customers the quality, freshness and value that they have come to expect. We proudly maintain the humble principles and strong values upon which Gus Barber built the business 60 years ago. With AdvancePierre’s national distribution footprint, more people than ever are enjoying the goodness of Barber Foods all the way from our hometown of Portland, Maine.
How many employees work at Barber Foods?
We currently employ more than 280 associates representing 36 different nationalities.