KFC fined Rs 5 lakh for poor quality

A local court in UP has slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh on global QSR KFC after ice cream and palm oil samples collected from one of its outlets in the city was found to be of sub-standard quality.

The court of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) City imposed the fine after the laboratory report of ice cream and palm oil samples were found to be of sub-standard.

The reports found both the items to be of sub- standard and below the stipulated quality control norms, officials said. A team of FDA officials, led by district food safety officer, had conducted surprise checks at a local KFC outlet in February last year.

The team collected samples of a particular brand of ice cream sold by the multinational brand, along with palm oil used for cooking.

Both the samples were sent for laboratory testing at state food laboratory. The report of the laboratory was received a few months ago. After receiving the report, the FDA filed a case under Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 in the court of ADM, City.

In their plea, KFC contended that they are not liable for the quality of the products as which were not manufactured in their unit and were instead bought from other firms.

"The onus of maintaining the quality of the above two items was solely on the company manufacturing them. KFC should not be held responsible for it," the KFC counsel argued in the court. However, after hearing both the sides, ADM, City, Alok Kumar imposed a fine of Rs 2.50 lakh on KFC for each of the product.

The court observed, "As per the existing provisions of law, the company on whose premises the sub-standard product is seized is held responsible for the quality of the said food item. Since the products were seized from the KFC outlet, it has to pay the fine of Rs 5 lakh for their poor quality."