KFC backtracks on chicken welfare pledge, facing backlash
Concerns about the welfare of chickens persist as the poultry industry struggles to provide sufficient animals raised under humane conditions. In the United Kingdom, KFC is retracting its 2019 commitment and continues to use selectively bred chickens.
Back in 2019, KFC, one of the most recognizable fast-food chains worldwide, announced plans to enhance chicken welfare by ceasing the purchase of industrially raised "Frankenchickens."
These "Frankenchickens" grow four times faster than naturally bred chickens, often suffering from lameness, muscle diseases, and higher mortality rates.
At the time, KFC signed the Better Chicken Commitment, pledging that by 2026, it would only use slow-growing birds from farms prioritizing animal welfare.
Currently, only one percent of chickens come from such backgrounds, and this figure seems unlikely to increase. This shortfall is due to the poultry industry's inability to supply enough animals raised in good conditions to meet the demand.
According to dailymail.com, despite its promise, restaurants in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and the Netherlands have made minimal progress in reducing the use of Frankenchickens.
The company attributes the slow transition to farmers' reluctance to adopt slower-growing breeds in sufficient numbers and says it is working on sourcing chickens from farms with lower stocking densities.
Ruth Edge, head of sustainability at KFC UK and Ireland, stated at the Egg and Poultry Industry Conference in Wales last week that reaching the 2026 target is unrealistic.
Animal welfare organizations are not accepting these reasons and are planning demonstrations.
The use of Frankenchickens is the biggest animal welfare crisis of our time, and we will not tolerate companies breaking their promises to animals. We will not rest until KFC comes to the table and sets out a new timeline for adopting the [Better Chicken Commitment, commented an activist in an interview with The Observer.
