KFC diners seek advice over fear of Sudan I By Yu Zhong (China Daily) Updated: 2005-03-22 06:49
A rising number of KFC customers have begun seeking legal advice after the US
fast food chain's Beijing restaurants suspended three more items from their
menus over fears they may contain the carcinogenic food colouring Sudan I.
Last Saturday, 10 days after the restaurants' New Orleans range was
discontinued because of Sudan 1 contamination, the illegal dye was found again
in popcorn chicken, spicy chicken wings and hamburgers in one of the company's
Beijing outlets.
One customer, a woman surnamed Wu who lives in Chaoyang District, complained,
saying it was "annoying that KFC keeps making the same mistake in such a short
time."
"I thought of suing the company but gave up the idea because of my ignorance
of legal procedures," she said.
But there are some people who are pursuing legal action. Meng Yuxin,an
11-year-old girl from Shenyang in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, has made
a claim against KFC for health damages, according to Shenyang Jinbao, a local
newspaper.
And according to Beijing lawyer Qiu Baochang, a number of the capital's
frequent KFC customers have called for advice on how to safeguard their rights
on this issue.
However, Qiu suggested consumers solve the problem through consultation with
KFC instead of taking the matter to court.
"Despite high costs, plaintiffs are unlikely to win their case unless they
can prove they have had the banned dye at KFC," he said.
One problem for those wishing to take action against the fast food chain is
that few customers ask for or keep receipts when eating at KFC while KFC seldom
offers receipts.
However, proving they ate at KFC is just the first step.
"If they can prove that their health has been damaged by KFC food, they can
surely sue the company for rights infringement," the lawyer added.
"But it is almost impossible to do so because the harm from Sudan I is long
term and not immediately apparent."
Representing KFC yesterday, spokesperson Chen Huijing, said the company was
confident of being able to handle customers' complaints, adding: "We will obey
legal procedures if we receive any complaints."
The fried chicken chain has suffered much from the Sudan I issue, with some
suggesting business is down 50 per cent since before the scandal broke.
