Editing KFC (section)

==Controversies and criticism==
{{See also|People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals#Campaigns and consumer boycotts}}
[[File:Boycott KFC.jpg|thumb|Protesters demonstrating outside a KFC restaurant in [[Royal Oak, Michigan]] (2007)]]
Since the beginning of the 21st century, fast food has been criticized for its [[animal welfare]] record, its links to [[obesity]] and its environmental impact.<ref>{{cite news|last=Barnett|first=Michael|title=Colonel Sanders' new modern army of outlets|url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/colonel-sanders-new-modern-army-of-outlets/3021690.article|access-date=February 11, 2013|newspaper=[[Marketing Week]]|date=December 16, 2010|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185241/http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/colonel-sanders-new-modern-army-of-outlets/3021690.article|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Eric Schlosser]]'s book ''[[Fast Food Nation]]'' (2002) and [[Morgan Spurlock]]'s film ''[[Super Size Me]]'' (2004) reflected these concerns.<ref name="Liddle, Alan-1990" /> Since 2003, [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] (PETA) has protested KFC's choice of poultry suppliers worldwide.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Yaziji, Michael |author2=Doh, Jonathan |title=NGOs and Corporations: Conflict and Collaboration |series=Business, Value Creation, and Society |chapter=Case illustration: PETA and KFC |pages=112–114 |year=2009 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-0-521-86684-2}}</ref> The exception is KFC Canada, which signed an agreement pledging to only use "animal-friendly" suppliers.<ref name="WilliamsChampion2011">{{cite book|author1=Chuck Williams|author2=Terry Champion|author3=Ike Hall|title=MGMT|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8GkHKO0T4P8C&pg=PA78|year=2011|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|isbn=978-0-17-650235-5|page=78|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151241/https://books.google.com/books?id=8GkHKO0T4P8C&pg=PA78|url-status=live}}</ref> President of KFC's US division Gregg Dedrick said PETA mischaracterized KFC as a poultry producer rather than a purchaser of chickens.<ref name="Swann2010">{{cite book|last=Swann|first=Patricia|title=Cases in Public Relations Management|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uQCogK0r4g4C&pg=PA121|access-date=September 26, 2013|date=April 2010|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=978-0-203-85136-4|pages=121–122|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151206/https://books.google.com/books?id=uQCogK0r4g4C&pg=PA121|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, Yum! stated: "[As] a major purchaser of food products, [Yum!] has the opportunity and responsibility to influence the way animals supplied to us are treated. We take that responsibility very seriously, and we are monitoring our suppliers on an ongoing basis."<ref name=an08>{{cite book|title=Annual Report|year=2008|publisher=Yum! Brands|location=Louisville|page=52|url=http://yum.com/investors/annualreport/08annualreport/docs/annualReport08.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://yum.com/investors/annualreport/08annualreport/docs/annualReport08.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2013}}</ref>

In 2006, [[Greenpeace]] accused KFC Europe of sourcing the [[soya bean]] for its chicken feed from [[Criticisms of Cargill#Controversy around Santarém port and Amazon deforestation|Cargill]], which had been accused of clearing large swathes of the [[Amazon rainforest]] in order to grow the crop.<ref name=cargill>{{cite news |first1=Felicity |last1=Lawrence |first2=John |last2=Vidal |title=Food giants to boycott illegal Amazon soya |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/24/brazil.foodanddrink |access-date=August 27, 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=July 24, 2006 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126074955/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/24/brazil.foodanddrink |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010, according to ''[[The Guardian]]'', "in the US where fried chicken remains closely associated with age-old racist stereotypes about black people in the once segregated south", KFC Australia aired the 30-second promotion on television named "KFC's cricket survival guide" which shows a white [[cricket]] fan surrounded by black fans from the opposing team. The television announcer asks, "Need a tip when you're stuck in an awkward situation?" The fan passes around his "bucket of KFC", even though the commercial was intended for an Australian audience, which found its way to social media in the United States, prompting sharp disapproval. KFC Australia made a statement to the fact the commercial was "misinterpreted by a segment of people in the US" and it was a "light-hearted reference to the West Indian cricket team" and "The ad was reproduced online in the US without KFC's permission, where we are told a culturally-based stereotype exists, leading to the incorrect assertion of racism...We unequivocally condemn discrimination of any type and have a proud history as one of the world's leading employers for diversity".<ref>{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Andrew |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/jan/06/kfc-advertisement-accused-of-racism |title=KFC accused of racism over Australian advertisement |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=January 6, 2010 |access-date=August 27, 2016 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031519/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/jan/06/kfc-advertisement-accused-of-racism |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2012, Greenpeace accused KFC of sourcing [[paper pulp]] for its food packaging from [[Deforestation in Indonesia|Indonesian]] rainforest wood.<ref name=rainforest>{{cite news|author1=Jim Efstathiou Jr.|author2=Leslie Patton|title=KFC Using Rain-Forest Wood in Boxes, Greenpeace Says|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-23/kfc-chicken-buckets-made-with-rain-forest-wood-greenpeace-finds.html|access-date=November 12, 2013|newspaper=[[Bloomberg News]]|date=June 13, 2012|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112211433/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-23/kfc-chicken-buckets-made-with-rain-forest-wood-greenpeace-finds.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Independent forensic tests showed that some packaging contained more than 50 percent mixed tropical hardwood fiber, sourced from [[Asia Pulp & Paper]] (APP).<ref name="Businessweek-2012">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-23/kfc-chicken-buckets-made-with-rain-forest-wood-greenpeace-finds |title=KFC Using Rain-Forest Wood in Boxes, Greenpeace Says |magazine=[[Businessweek]] |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105151725/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-23/kfc-chicken-buckets-made-with-rain-forest-wood-greenpeace-finds |archive-date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2012/kfc-denies-greenpeace-sourcing-allegations/ |author=Badasha, Kamalpreet |title=KFC denies Greenpeace sourcing allegations |magazine=[[Supply Management (magazine)|Supply Management]] |date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112110/http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2012/kfc-denies-greenpeace-sourcing-allegations/ |url-status=live }}</ref> APP said such fiber can be found in recycled paper, or: "It can also come from tree residues that are cleared, after a forest area has become degraded, logged-over or burned, as part of a sustainable development plan. APP has strict policies and practices in place to ensure that only residues from legal plantation development on degraded or logged-over forest areas and sustainable wood fiber enters the production supply chain."<ref name="Businessweek-2012" /> KFC said: "From a global perspective, 60 percent of the paper products that Yum! (our parent company) sources are from sustainable sources. Our suppliers are working towards making it 100 percent."<ref name=rainforest />

In December 2012, the chain was criticized in China when it was discovered that a number of KFC suppliers had been using [[growth hormone]]s and an excessive amount of [[antibiotics]] on its poultry in ways that violated Chinese law.<ref name="Hsu-2013">{{cite news|last=Hsu|first=Tiffany|title=After KFC chicken scare, Yum plans to 'stay the course in China'|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-kfc-chicken-china-yum-20130205,0,5847697.story|access-date=February 5, 2013|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=February 5, 2013|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029211935/http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-kfc-chicken-china-yum-20130205,0,5847697.story|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2013, Yum! CEO David Novak admitted that the scandal had been "longer lasting and more impactful than we ever imagined".<ref name="Hsu-2013" /> The issue is of major concern to Yum!, which earns almost half of its profits from China, largely through the KFC brand. In March 2013, Yum! reported that sales had rebounded in February, but that lower sales in December and January would result in a decline in same-store sales of 20 percent in the first quarter.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cai|first=Debbie|title=Yum's China Sales Fall 20% as It Tries to Win Back KFC Customers|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324281004578354771518385886|access-date=March 12, 2013|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121033506/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324281004578354771518385886|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, KFC was fined £950,000 after two workers in the UK were scalded by boiling hot gravy. The company admitted to charges of failing in a duty of care to employees and was ordered by [[Teesside Crown Court]] in [[Middlesbrough]] to pay fines of £800,000 and £150,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2017-01-20/kfc-fined-nearly-1m-after-two-teesside-workers-scalded-by-boiling-hot-gravy/|title=KFC fined nearly £1m after two workers scalded by boiling hot gravy|date=January 20, 2017|work=ITV News|access-date=October 3, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003124818/http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2017-01-20/kfc-fined-nearly-1m-after-two-teesside-workers-scalded-by-boiling-hot-gravy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2018, logistics mismanagement by [[DHL]], which had been selected by KFC UK as their new delivery partner, caused a chicken shortage in the United Kingdom – KFC's largest market in Europe – forcing the company to temporarily close hundreds of restaurants around the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/20/news/kfc-chicken-shortage-uk-stores/index.html|title=KFC chicken shortage will hit UK stores all week|last=Petroff|first=Alanna|date=February 20, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=February 23, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025656/https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/20/news/kfc-chicken-shortage-uk-stores/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> KFC apologized by taking out adverts in British newspapers showing the company's initials rearranged to read "FCK", followed by an apology, which was well received.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/23/news/kfc-apology-ad-shortage-chicken/index.html|title=KFC apologizes for chicken shortage with a hilarious hidden message|last=Petroff|first=Alanna|date=February 23, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=February 23, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109001312/https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/23/news/kfc-apology-ad-shortage-chicken/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2021, Finland's first KFC restaurant was opened at the [[Itis shopping center]] in [[Itäkeskus]], Helsinki. A few days before the opening day, a tent had appeared in front of the restaurant, where a man who had kept his identity secret for a few days had stayed,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/helsinki/art-2000008394509.html|title=Joku pystytti teltan pian avattavan KFC-ravintolan eteen Itäkeskuksessa ja värjöttelee sateessa varpaat jäässä jo kolmatta päivää: "Kanoista tykkään"|work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]]|date=November 10, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2021|language=fi|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112044841/https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/helsinki/art-2000008394509.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and who on the opening day revealed himself to the public as a [[vegan]] activist defending [[animal rights]].<ref name="yle"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/96eeef0e-27fe-461f-8382-832309be4d2a|title=KFC:n telttamies olikin aktivisti: Mielenosoittajat talutettiin ulos – sisällä hurrattiin kanansyönnille|work=[[Iltalehti]]|date=November 11, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2021|language=fi|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112044838/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/96eeef0e-27fe-461f-8382-832309be4d2a|url-status=live}}</ref> After trying to give his speech to those present, the security company carried him away.<ref name="yle">{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12184346|title=Vegan "chicken lover" protests KFC launch in Finland|work=[[Yle News]]|date=November 11, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112044841/https://yle.fi/news/3-12184346|url-status=live}}</ref> Even before the opening of the restaurant, in October, news of a controversy over the procurement of a broiler for food from Poland; the cause is mainly related to the risk of [[salmonella]] in broilers, which is a significant problem in Poland, whereas its prevalence in Finland is low.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2022 |title=Major companies including McDonald's are under fire for failing to boycott Russia |url=https://happymag.tv/mcdonalds-criticised-for-failing-to-boycott-russia/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Happy Mag |language=en-US |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306122421/https://happymag.tv/mcdonalds-criticised-for-failing-to-boycott-russia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], a number of companies have faced growing pressure to halt operations in Russia but have not yet done so. This includes KFC, which has over 1,000 outlets in Russia, more than any other Western fast food chain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine invasion: Attention turns to McDonald's and crypto exchanges, yet to take a stand against Russia |url=https://news.sky.com/story/attention-turns-to-mcdonalds-and-cryptocurrency-exchanges-as-holdouts-in-russia-exodus-12557535 |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306142102/https://news.sky.com/story/attention-turns-to-mcdonalds-and-cryptocurrency-exchanges-as-holdouts-in-russia-exodus-12557535 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite news |last=Creswell |first=Julie |date=March 5, 2022 |title=Fast-food chains and food producers stay open in Russia, and mostly quiet about Ukraine. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/russia-food-ukraine.html |access-date=March 6, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309092621/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/russia-food-ukraine.html |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/news-in-brief/20248-kfc-embroiled-in-minor-controversy-for-decision-to-import-chicken-to-finland.html|title=KFC embroiled in minor controversy for decision to import chicken to Finland|first=Tahira|last=Sequeira|work=[[Helsinki Times]]|date=October 28, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112044834/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/news-in-brief/20248-kfc-embroiled-in-minor-controversy-for-decision-to-import-chicken-to-finland.html|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web |last=Winchester |first=Levi |date=March 4, 2022 |title=McDonald's under pressure for opening as 'normal' in Russia despite Ukraine war |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/mcdonalds-under-fire-failing-boycott-26384122 |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=mirror |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308182517/https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/mcdonalds-under-fire-failing-boycott-26384122 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite web |last1=Marler |first1=Bill |date=February 28, 2022 |title=KFC, McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks and Pizza Hut, close your Russian Restaurants until Putin removes troops from Ukraine |url=https://www.marlerblog.com/lawyer-oped/kfc-mcdonalds-burger-king-starbucks-and-pizza-hut-close-your-russian-restaurants-until-putin-removes-troops-from-ukraine/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Marler Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306121823/https://www.marlerblog.com/lawyer-oped/kfc-mcdonalds-burger-king-starbucks-and-pizza-hut-close-your-russian-restaurants-until-putin-removes-troops-from-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In early 2022 a promotional video was shot with influencer [[Niko Omilana]] showing a chicken farm in the KFC supply chain. The video depicted birds with a good quality of life. Animal rights activists entered the same farm months later and found vastly different conditions, with instances of "severe overcrowding" and "lame and dead birds". Paul Roger, a vet and founder member of AWSELVA, said birds in the footage were exhibiting "behavioural signs of stress such as feather pecking and topical skin infection". KFC's actions were branded "misleading".<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2022 |title=KFC faces backlash over 'misleading' portrayal of UK chicken farming |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/12/kfc-faces-backlash-over-misleading-portrayal-of-chicken-farming-niko-omilana |access-date=August 24, 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412083129/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/12/kfc-faces-backlash-over-misleading-portrayal-of-chicken-farming-niko-omilana |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 9, 2022, KFC Germany issued an announcement inviting its German audience to celebrate [[Kristallnacht]] with "Cheesy Chicken". An apology was issued shortly afterwards, blaming the original message as an "error in our system".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Binley |first1=Alex |title=KFC apologises after German Kristallnacht promotion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63499057 |access-date=November 10, 2022 |work=BBC News |date=November 10, 2022 |archive-date=November 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110152338/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63499057 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2024, the closure of the outlet in [[Malaysia]] was reported due to the ongoing [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=KFC Malaysia temporarily closes outlets amid Gaza boycott |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/5/3/kfc-malaysia-temporarily-closes-outlets-amid-gaza-boycott |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523162956/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/5/3/kfc-malaysia-temporarily-closes-outlets-amid-gaza-boycott |url-status=live }}</ref> Attacks on two outlets in [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]] were also reported.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Two KFC outlets attacked in Baghdad over Gaza war, police sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/two-kfc-outlets-attacked-baghdad-over-gaza-war-police-sources-say-2024-05-27/ |access-date=August 6, 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

In September 2024, KFC announced that it would not meet the Better Chicken Commitment, an animal welfare pledge made in 2019. The commitment includes several welfare standards, such as adopting slower-growing breeds by 2026, but as of 2024, only 1% of KFC's chickens were from such breeds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ungoed-Thomas |first=Jon |date=2024-11-23 |title=KFC drops pledge to stop using 'Frankenchickens' in the UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/nov/23/kfc-drops-pledge-to-stop-using-frankenchickens-in-the-uk |access-date=2024-12-08 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}</ref>