Laugh it Off

Last week Jou Ma se Purse pointed a finger at KFC, their abuse of the vrag ‘food tik’, MSG as an ingredient in their food, and the flak that they have gotten internationally for the conditions of the ‘broiler’ farms where they buy their chickens from. We had a great response from our Daily Voice readers, and a nasty one from KFC Southern Africa – Corporate Affairs. Moenie worry nie, reader. Ons vat die corporate kak sodat jy die waarheid kan lees…

KFC’s Sthembile Shabangu writes that  “the (Daily Voice) readers deserve better than the inaccurate and defamatory article on KFC” and that “(they) are entitled to know that KFC SA is committed to the highest poultry welfare standards and our South African supplier meets all relevant national animal welfare legislation and industry standards.”

That sounds nice and all, but should we just take her word for it? What are the industry standards, and who’s in charge of ensuring that they are being met? Jou Ma se Purse gave KFC head office a call and Ms Shabangu has promised to answer these urgent questions of ours; questions that go beyond merely accepting KFC’s PR speak as the gospel truth. Jou Ma seriously doubts whether KFC’s corporate theory and letter writing matches its industry practice.

Jou Ma then called Stephen Heath, Corporate Affairs Director of Rainbow Chicken, who supply KFC. He had this to say: “Unfortunately you will not be permitted to visit any of our farms as we apply very security biosecurity controls – as I am sure you can appreciate we get numerous such requests from journalists and other parties and if we were to accede to all these requests we would be putting our birds at risk in terms of disease challenges.”

Stephen went on to tell me, a disease-ridden journalist, that Rainbow Chicken slaughter four million chickens a week! With so many dead chickens being supplied week in and week out, their company name should have more to do with the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. And of course, it’s us, the Rainbow Nation, that are so damn hoender honger in the first place. Raising animals for slaughter is one of life’s harsh realities, and as Stephen says “99% of the population don’t really want to know about it. They just want to eat and enjoy their chicken.”

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) recently tried to take their global online campaign against KFC (www.kentuckyfriedcruelty.com) straight to the mense in the US, by buying TV airtime during the SuperBowl. However, FOX Network turned down PETA’s US$4.2 million offer. While Colonel Sanders and Rupert Murdoch (the media dictator that owns Fox Network) most probably fought in WW1 together – and so PETA will never get them to broadcast their message – the serious fact remains that there is lank min media space available for corporate criticism and healthy social debate.

If KFC has a bad track record in the US, Canada, and Australia for the way in which they treat their chickens before they are slaughtered, then we as South Africans have a right to know whether KFC in South Africa is any different. Rainbow Chickens’ Stephen Heath couldn’t even give Jou Ma the correct name of the independent auditing company that inspects their farms!

KFC’s Sthembile Shabangu was the moer in for the fact that I first approached KFC as a customer, and not as a journalist. I didn’t want to be force fed the same kak their chickens eat, which is what her letter of response basically amounts to. I’ll sprinkle some MSG on KFC’s letter and eat it, along with all of my words, if KFC or Rainbow Chicken go out of their way to help me as much as they claim to help their customers! I suspect the truth is something far less appetizing than what we are seeing on the menu.

KFC’s Sthembile claims that The Daily Voice have violated the South African Press Code for not having published the “information” in her letter before going to print. The Press Ombudsman, Joe Thlolole, couldn’t give me an opinion until such time as KFC actually lays a complaint. While he was as much help as a man dying of a heart attack being given a KFC drumstick, I took heart from the following sentence in the South African Press Code:

“The press has the right and indeed the duty to report and comment on all matters of legitimate public interest.”

Indeed, the duty. Jou Ma se Purse has pointed its finger and rolled up its sleeves. We are determined to ensure that the readers of The Daily Voice get an independent assessment of the conditions of South Africa’s broiler farms. Even if that means wading knee-deep through a warehouse of chickens in a biohazard suit. The truth will out.

To read KFC’s letter in full, as well as the original article published last week, please visit www.laughitoff.co.za