Popular fast food giant KFC is all set to sue three of the Chinese firms which have spread false rumours about the brand. The Chinese firms have allegedly spread false rumours that the company uses eight-legged chickens that are genetically modified. KFC has sought a compensation of 1.5 million yuan and an apology.
One of the blog posts from the firms have claimed that the chicken used are genetically modified to have six to eight legs. KFC has filed the case in a Shanghai court and has claimed that the rumours are also being spread through WeChat app and other social media outlets.
KFC released a statement which said that the rumours were spread through at least 4,000 subsequent posts. Qu Cuirong, the KFC China president said, “This not only seriously misled consumers, but also hurt our brand”. The firms have so far not commented over the court complaint. KFC had 4,828 branches in China by the end of 2014 and has been opening hundreds of new eateries every year.
The parent company Yum Brands had reported a profit drop in 2014 as one of its suppliers was alleged of selling old meat to the outlets. As a result, KFC and other brands including McDonalds had stopped using meat from the supplier.
Photo Credits: thechronicleherald
