Lucas Delgado
KFC is a popular fast-food chain known for its fried chicken. Over the years, KFC has been the subject of various rumours and urban legends, including one that its chickens have six wings and eight legs. This myth was spread by doctored photos and a widely circulated email hoax claiming that KFC changed its name from Kentucky Fried Chicken due to using mutant chickens. While these rumours have been debunked, they reflect modern fears about genetically engineered food and the use of hormones in poultry farming.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Legs | 2 |
| Mutant Chickens | Myth |
| Genetically Modified Chickens | No |
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What You'll Learn
KFC's China CEO, Qu Cuirong, fights back against eight-legged chicken rumours
KFC's China CEO, Qu Cuirong, has taken a strong stance against rumours claiming that the fast-food chain uses chickens with eight legs. In 2015, KFC China brought a lawsuit against three local tech firms for spreading defamatory information, including doctored images of deformed chickens with six wings and eight legs. The companies, identified as Yingchenanzhi Success and Culture Communication, Taiyuan Zero Point Technology, and Shanxi Weilukuang Technology, posted these allegations on their social media accounts, damaging KFC's reputation and causing economic losses.
Cuirong expressed frustration at the challenge of combating such falsehoods, acknowledging the difficulty in gathering evidence to refute the rumours. However, they credited the Chinese government's efforts to regulate the online environment and judicial interpretations for providing them with "confidence and weapons" in their fight against misinformation.
The lawsuit resulted in a combined fine of 600,000 yuan ($91,191) for the three companies, significantly less than the 1.5 million yuan ($227,977) in damages initially sought by KFC's parent company, Yum Brands. The companies were also ordered to issue an official apology. This incident highlights the challenges faced by businesses in China's volatile food industry, where food safety scandals and rumours can significantly impact consumer trust and brand reputation.
Food safety is a critical issue in China, with a history of scandals involving issues like recycled "gutter oil," old "zombie meat," and chemically tainted dairy products. KFC's parent company, Yum Brands, had previously faced challenges in 2014 when one of its suppliers to Chinese stores was accused of selling old meat, resulting in a projected drop in profits. The eight-legged chicken rumours further exacerbated the brand's struggles in the Chinese market, demonstrating the urgency with which Cuirong and KFC China addressed these false claims.
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KFC sues Chinese firms for spreading rumours
KFC has sued three Chinese companies for allegedly spreading rumours about its food, including claims that its chickens have six wings and eight legs. The companies in question are Yingchenanzhi Success and Culture Communication, Taiyuan Zero Point Technology, and Shanxi Weilukuang Technology. KFC China brought the suit against these firms for using ten accounts on the popular messaging platform WeChat to spread defamatory posts. The companies were accused of damaging KFC's reputation and causing economic losses by spreading allegations and doctored images of deformed and mutant chickens.
Food safety is a significant concern in China, with frequent scandals involving issues such as recycled "gutter oil", old "zombie meat", and dairy products laced with industrial chemicals. KFC, which operates more than 4,600 restaurants in China, filed lawsuits against the three companies for their posts on the mobile app WeChat, demanding 1.5 million yuan (approximately £159,000 or $242,000) and an apology from each.
The Shanghai Xuhui District People's Court accepted the case and ruled in KFC's favour. The court found that the companies had indeed "damaged KFC's reputation" and "caused economic losses". The three firms were ordered to make an official apology and were fined a combined total of 600,000 yuan (around $91,191), which was significantly less than the amount of 1.5 million yuan ($227,977) that KFC had initially demanded in damages.
KFC's lawsuit against the Chinese companies comes amid a broader crackdown by Chinese authorities on the spread of rumours and false information via social media. The Chinese government has been working to address and dispel various rumours circulating on social media, and this case reflects the challenges faced by companies in protecting their brands against damaging rumours.
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KFC's chicken is sourced from US farms
In 2016, KFC China sued three local tech firms for spreading rumours about the fast-food chain. The rumours included doctored photos of chickens with six wings and eight legs, and allegations that the chickens were mutants. A Shanghai court ruled in favour of KFC, stating that the firms had "damaged KFC's reputation" and "caused it economic losses".
While this incident brought attention to KFC's chicken sourcing practices, the company prioritises chicken welfare and is committed to working with farms and suppliers to monitor and improve the health and welfare of its chickens. KFC UK & Ireland, for example, supports the Responsible Use of Medicines and Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) approach, ensuring that suppliers use medicines and antibiotics responsibly. The company is also committed to reducing the total use of antibiotics, with this being a key focus within supplier reviews in the coming years.
In addition to antibiotic use, KFC is also taking steps to improve chicken welfare through environmental and ethical initiatives. They have partnered with Compassion in World Farming to promote happier and healthier chickens across UK farms. KFC has set several environmental goals, including maintaining 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified packaging by 2023 and ending natural forest loss from soy in their supply chain by 2025.
KFC also emphasises the importance of sourcing chickens that have had a good life. In a marketing film, KFC showcased its flagship chicken farm, highlighting features such as perches, swings, and straw-rich ground for the birds to scratch and peck. While some have criticised the conditions of these farms, KFC remains committed to transparency and accountability in its supply chain. The company independently commissions chicken welfare progress reports and collaborates with leading animal welfare organisations like FAI Farms to improve practices.
While KFC's chicken sourcing practices have come under scrutiny, the company maintains its commitment to chicken welfare and environmental sustainability. KFC works closely with farms and suppliers to ensure the highest welfare standards and transparency in its supply chain.
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KFC's response to China's food safety concerns
In 2013, KFC's parent company, Yum Brands Inc., issued an apology to Chinese customers following a food scare that impacted the company's sales in China, its biggest market. The chairman and CEO of Yum China, Su Jingshi, acknowledged shortcomings in their self-checking process and internal communication on the company's Weibo microblog. Subsequent findings by the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration revealed that the levels of antibiotics and steroids in Yum's KFC chicken supply were safe, although a suspicious level of an antiviral drug was found in one sample.
To enhance transparency and reassure consumers, KFC opened more than 1,000 of its kitchens to Chinese diners after the food scare. This move demonstrated the company's commitment to food safety and allowed customers to witness their food preparation processes.
KFC has also been proactive in adapting to changing consumer preferences and concerns about health and nutrition. The company has expanded its menu to include healthier options, such as salads and wraps, and introduced premium products like its "Signature" line of fried chicken to cater to diverse tastes and nutritional needs.
In addition, KFC's success in China can be attributed to its emphasis on cleanliness and food safety, particularly in the late 1980s and early 1990s when many Chinese consumers were wary of Western fast food due to safety concerns. KFC's modern, air-conditioned restaurants, with their inviting and family-friendly atmosphere, appealed to middle-class families seeking a safe and comfortable dining experience.
KFC has also taken legal action to protect its reputation and address false allegations regarding food safety. In 2016, a Shanghai court fined three local tech firms for spreading rumours about KFC, including doctored photos of deformed chickens with six wings and eight legs. These rumours were found to have damaged KFC's reputation and caused economic losses.
Overall, KFC has responded to China's food safety concerns by apologizing for mishandling, enhancing transparency, expanding its menu to address health concerns, maintaining high cleanliness and food safety standards, and taking legal action against false allegations. These efforts reflect the company's commitment to regaining the trust of Chinese consumers and maintaining its presence in the competitive Chinese market.
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Ordering chicken legs from KFC
Ordering through delivery apps such as Uber Eats is a different story. The KFC menu on these apps may not allow for custom orders, so you may not be able to order chicken legs separately from a meal. In this case, calling the restaurant directly before placing your order may allow you to place a custom order.
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Frequently asked questions
KFC chickens have two legs, just like regular chickens.
There have been rumours, particularly in China, that KFC chickens have six wings and eight legs. These rumours were spread by doctored images posted on social media by Chinese companies. KFC sued these companies for spreading misinformation and damaging their reputation.
While KFC chickens are not eight-legged, they have been the subject of genetic manipulation to enhance certain features, such as breast size. However, this is a common practice in the industry and does not affect the number of legs the chickens have.
