KFC says its chicken storage and preparation practices comply with FSSAI requirements after Karnataka food safety officials inspected its Mangaluru outlet and collected samples for laboratory testing
KFC has denied allegations that stale chicken was being served at its Mangaluru outlet, saying its chicken storage, preparation and serving practices comply with prescribed food safety standards. The clarification comes after Karnataka’s Food Safety Division inspected the restaurant following a consumer complaint and collected samples for laboratory testing.
The inspection was conducted at KFC’s outlet in City Centre Mall, Mangaluru, on the direction of Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader. The complaint alleged that spoiled or stale chicken was being served to customers.
During the inspection on Sunday, officials collected chicken samples from the outlet and sent them for laboratory analysis. The restaurant was also directed to clear its existing chicken stock and clean its cold-storage facility. The test results are awaited.
KFC Responds To Claims
KFC said the information circulating about the incident “doesn’t depict the true facts” and maintained that its food handling processes follow both Indian regulatory requirements and additional quality standards.
“We source high-quality chicken from reputed suppliers across the country and actively comply with FSSAI guidelines, along with certain global quality standards, to serve quality food to our customers,” it said.
The company said chicken served at its restaurants is prepared fresh every day and stored in accordance with prescribed requirements. It added that the product passes through multiple quality and safety checks across the supply chain, from suppliers’ farms to the customer.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has prescribed requirements covering food storage, handling and hygiene, with food businesses subject to inspections and compliance checks.
“We’re fully cooperating with the concerned authorities and are reviewing the matter in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Any customer who wishes to know more about KFC’s strict kitchen procedures and safety protocols can contact the restaurant manager for a kitchen tour,” it added.
Wider Food Safety Scrutiny
The Mangaluru inspection comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny of food businesses across India. Food safety authorities have stepped up inspections of restaurants, cafes, food manufacturers and storage facilities, with several establishments facing licence suspensions, temporary closures and compliance notices over hygiene and food safety violations.
The increased scrutiny has also reached restaurants operating inside shopping malls. Major mall operators, including DLF Malls, Phoenix Group, Prestige Group and Nexus Select Malls, have issued advisories to food and beverage outlets operating on their premises, urging stricter adherence to food safety requirements.
For KFC, the immediate outcome of the Mangaluru case will depend on the laboratory analysis of the samples collected during the inspection. Until the results are available, the company maintains that its chicken storage and preparation processes comply with applicable food safety regulations and its internal quality standards.
