KFC switch supplier due to Sudan dye

cctv.com 03-21-2005 11:06

Beijing food authorities have confirmed that five products from fast-food chain KFC contains the cancer-linked Sudan-I colorant.

KFC blamed its Chinese supplier, Griffith Laboratories for the affected foods. To assure consumer, the company says it has already changed its supplier.

Three more products sold at KFC are found to have the cancer-linked Sudan-I red colorant. They are Spicy Chicken Hamburgers, Hot Wings and Popcorn Chicken. The authorities have urged all KFC outlets to stop selling the products, and to change their sauces. KFC has traced the source of the affected food to its Chinese supplier in south China's Guangdong Province, Griffith Laboratories.

President of Griffith Laboratories (Asia) Situ Da said, "The Sudan I came from one of our suppliers' pepper powder. We have now stopped distributing this pepper powder to our clients. We are also tracing the products previously sold and will notify our clients to stop using them."

Griffith Laboratories is a US-based global manufacturer of food ingredients, providing products to 30 countries and regions. After tracking, it says the Sudan-I ingredient originates from a manufacturing company in east China's Zhejiang Province.

KFC says it will sue the supplier and has stopped buying materials from them. Instead, the company has already found new suppliers and says that advertisements for the affected chicken products will continue to be aired. The fast food giant has lost at least 3.1 million US dollars in the past four days.

Editor:Hu Hang  Source:CCTV.com