KFC admits hiding antibiotics test results of tainted chicken in China
(01-11 14:47)
American fast food giant Yum! Brands has apologized to customers of KFC restaurants in China after a scandal over tainted chicken. KFC also admitted it did not tell authorities about test results indicating high levels of antibiotics in its chicken.
Chinese authorities launched an inquiry last month when news emerged over tainted chicken, AFP reports.
“We did not take the initiative to inform the government about test results,'' Yum China's chairman and chief executive, Sam Su, said in the statement. “We feel regret for all the problems and I sincerely apologize to the public on behalf of the company.’’
The company also pledged to improve screening of suppliers and communication with regulators, the statement said.
The scandal came to light when Shanghai and the northern province of Shanxi said last month that they were investigating KFC suppliers over claims of high levels of antibiotics.
The company said at the time it was cooperating with a government investigation into two poultry suppliers that provided chicken with “unapproved’’ levels of antibiotics.
The Shanghai government has said Yum was aware of the issue through testing by a third-party in 2010 and 2011 but did not report.
The company has discontinued the local supplier, Liuhe Group.
The scandal has hit Yum's Chinese operations. It said this week sales in the key market were forecast to fall 6 percent in the fourth quarter of last year following the probe, instead of the previously expected four percent drop.
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