KFC is one of the biggest fast food companies in the world. With 18,000 outlets in over 115 countries, they naturally sell many products daily. As a profit-driven corporation and part of the private sector, there are many parts of this company that create social, economic, and environmental problems in our society. In order to live in a truly sustainable world, we must realize the issues, and contribute by each doing a small act. It is our responsibility as global citizens to make sure the rights of fellow humans and animals are not violated.
This blog will try to show you some of these negative impacts that KFC has on our society, and will hopefully motivate you to make a change for the better.
This blog will try to show you some of these negative impacts that KFC has on our society, and will hopefully motivate you to make a change for the better.
First, I'll start with the research I collected.
Almost 1 billion chickens are killed each year as a result of KFC. These chickens are bred to have as meat as possible. As a result, they are very top-heavy, and often cannot walk.
PETA recently discovered a footage of frustrated, very low-payed KFC workers horribly abusing chickens. They twisted their beaks off, spat tobacco into their eyes, spray painted them, and twisted and squeezed their bodies so violently that excrement dropped out of the chickens.
KFC says that it has it has an "Animal-welfare advisory council." However, many of the members on this council resigned with frustration. Adele Douglass said that "KFC never had any meetings. They never asked any advice, and they touted to the press that they had this animal welfare advisory committee. I felt like I was being used." This figure shows chickens being slaughtered at a slaughter house for KFC.
Here is a video of how KFC kills it's chickens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN2DgOzF34
Here is a video, not particularly about KFC, but the methods apply. WARNING: CONTAINS GORE AND SEVERE ANIMAL CRUELTY.
Almost 1 billion chickens are killed each year as a result of KFC. These chickens are bred to have as meat as possible. As a result, they are very top-heavy, and often cannot walk.
PETA recently discovered a footage of frustrated, very low-payed KFC workers horribly abusing chickens. They twisted their beaks off, spat tobacco into their eyes, spray painted them, and twisted and squeezed their bodies so violently that excrement dropped out of the chickens.
KFC says that it has it has an "Animal-welfare advisory council." However, many of the members on this council resigned with frustration. Adele Douglass said that "KFC never had any meetings. They never asked any advice, and they touted to the press that they had this animal welfare advisory committee. I felt like I was being used." This figure shows chickens being slaughtered at a slaughter house for KFC.
Here is a video of how KFC kills it's chickens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTN2DgOzF34
Here is a video, not particularly about KFC, but the methods apply. WARNING: CONTAINS GORE AND SEVERE ANIMAL CRUELTY.
KFC recently had a campaign broadcasting the "healthiness of it's food." They used social media to broadcast when eating at KFC doesn't "count" towards their calories. This campaign was a huge success, and statistics showed people who saw this ad were three times more likely to go to KFC. However, KFC is not always straightforward, and deals with part or half-truths. KFC uses maltodextrin, a chemical that suppresses the ability of the immune system, high amounts of KFC salt, which is highly refined table salt that could potentially lead to Alzheimer's, MSG, and Partially Hydrogenated Oils in their products, just to name a few of the ingredients. Part of the reason KFC uses these ingredients is to cut on money spent buying higher quality ingredients, and this is not acceptable.
This Figure above shows the advertisement campaign 'It doesn't count if..."
This Figure above shows the advertisement campaign 'It doesn't count if..."
Most of KFC workers are payed minimum wage in countries that have a minimum wage established, and in other countries KFC workers are sometimes payed appalling amounts of money. This is because KFC's main interest is in it's customers and shareholders, to keep the customers happy they keep prices low, and to keep shareholders happy they pay workers as low a percentage of the product as possible. These two characteristics combined results in a very low pay for workers.
Also in their interest to save money and make a profit, KFC buys it's packaging from the notorious company Asia Pulp and Paper, or APP for short. This creates environmental problems from deforestation, and many species are now endangered and will potentially go extinct because of this, like the Sumatran Tiger. The balance of the entire ecosystem in these forests have been disturbed. One cannot have a sustainable world without a livable, beautiful environment, so this needs to stop. However, KFC has taken some measures to stop supporting such a horrible corporation, and KFC Indonesia has stopped buying from APP! APP employs child labor, terrible working conditions, and very low pay.
The quality of the food is terrible at times too. A man named Doug went to KFC and bought a chicken sandwich. He soon discovered that the chicken was raw on the inside! Disgusted, he went back to the restaurant. Although the restaurant employee and manager were disgusted and tried apologizing, Doug did not want to ever go back again. Though he filled out a feedback form, he had no reply until he posted the picture of the chicken sandwich onto KFC's Facebook Page. Ironically, he got a reply ten minutes later.
Above is a picture of Doug's sandwich.
Above is a picture of Doug's sandwich.
However, not all can be accomplished from simply using the internet One must go out for themselves and ask around. Participation is key as a global citizen.
A friend and I went to a nearby KFC and interviewed both workers and customers. This showed KFC to me in a whole new light- one that could not have been achieved throughout only from the hearsay of others.
When interviewing one of the employees and the manager of the story, they both said they were very happy to work at KFC. They said it was better compared to other restaurants they've worked at, and that it was a very nice company. When asking them whether they knew if KFC used rain forest trees to make their packaging, and that the paper was made by low payed workers in South-East Asia, they said that KFC was not affiliated with this in any way. When asking if the chickens were fed "growth boosting hormones" they replied with a no. The employee said that she was paid minimum wage- (around $11 as of now in Canada), but she was quite happy to be paid this amount.
However, just one store cannot represent the entire "population" of KFC workers. By interviewing workers of this one store, it shows that these workers are uninformed that this is happening, and as global citizens we must do our duty and inform others of social issues. It is through knowledge that we can obtain change. As part of our "Small Act" we informed some customers about these issues, so that they too may spread the information, contact KFC and help fight for the rights of the workers in Asia.
By interviewing other customers, we found out all did not know about the rainforest issue, and some were not aware of the growth hormones issue. We helped promote knowledge and global citizenship through this Small Act.
Furthermore, you can write to KFC as I did telling them about my research and study findings. Below is a photo of the letter.
When interviewing one of the employees and the manager of the story, they both said they were very happy to work at KFC. They said it was better compared to other restaurants they've worked at, and that it was a very nice company. When asking them whether they knew if KFC used rain forest trees to make their packaging, and that the paper was made by low payed workers in South-East Asia, they said that KFC was not affiliated with this in any way. When asking if the chickens were fed "growth boosting hormones" they replied with a no. The employee said that she was paid minimum wage- (around $11 as of now in Canada), but she was quite happy to be paid this amount.
However, just one store cannot represent the entire "population" of KFC workers. By interviewing workers of this one store, it shows that these workers are uninformed that this is happening, and as global citizens we must do our duty and inform others of social issues. It is through knowledge that we can obtain change. As part of our "Small Act" we informed some customers about these issues, so that they too may spread the information, contact KFC and help fight for the rights of the workers in Asia.
By interviewing other customers, we found out all did not know about the rainforest issue, and some were not aware of the growth hormones issue. We helped promote knowledge and global citizenship through this Small Act.
Furthermore, you can write to KFC as I did telling them about my research and study findings. Below is a photo of the letter.
Here is the full letter to KFC:
Dear KFC,
I am a Civics Student researching your company. It is part of an assignment promoting "Global Citizenship" and is supposed to help us be aware of the social, environmental, and economic impact your company has on the Global Community.
This is part of my "Small Act," and it is part of my job as a global citizen to not only point out some parts of your company that need improvement, but also suggest ways for improvement. Please read through this, as I guarantee that I have some ideas to make your business better to the global community.
I saw some statistics and evidence I found concerning. I found a link to a PETA website showing some of your workers abusing the chickens to points of near-death torture. I found this horrifying that the chicken I enjoyed sometimes in the past could have come from such destructive measures. I would not wish to support a company if I knew that this is what they did to their products. I read that these workers were frustrated with their low pay, venting their anger off at the chickens.
I saw on Green Peace that a study proved that your products held at least 50% Rain Forest fiber as of 2012. I know you have made some of an effort to help this, which is great. However, this is not enough. As global citizens we all are responsible for the sustainability of our planet. I understand that you are a company- and your shareholders and your customers are your primary concern. However, after talking with some customers outside a few of your shops, they were shocked to find out that the delicious chicken they enjoyed had such a large impact on other human beings and the environment.
I understand that you buy your paper products from a company called Asia Pulp and Paper. This company has been involved with deforestation, destruction of habitat, and poor working conditions for workers. I think it is best to follow KFC in Indonesia's example and stop buying from APP. If your entire company boycotted APP, APP could potentially realize the harm it is causing, governments may set up conservation laws after they see that a corporation such as yourself realizes the threat APP poses.
On a brighter side, I have recently went to one of your outlets and I am pleased to say that all of them are very happy with working at KFC- despite being paid minimum wage (around 11 dollars in Canada). This shows something. However, I cannot be sure this is the opinion of all your employees.
I discovered while researching a quote from one of your former members of your animal-advisory council, Adele Douglass. Adele said that "KFC never had any meetings. They never asked any advice, and they touted to the press that they had this animal welfare advisory committee. I felt like I was being used." If this is truly the case, I think it would be best that you try changing this as fast as you can. My friends, family and I would feel much better about eating at KFC if we knew they actually did something to help their chicken. It would result in a better tasting meal as well.
I am aware that many chicken farmers are paying the price in order for the chicken to get to KFC. In a film about corporations, my class learned that even though these measures may gain temporary wealth- it cannot sustain itself through this system.
I understand that no company will ever be perfect, but I think that by realizing these small things and discussing them in your corporation will lead to great change. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step, albeit a small one to the right direction. Please consider what I have told you today. I look forward to hearing your response.
Sincerely,
Anonymous
Global Citizen
Civics Student
Dear KFC,
I am a Civics Student researching your company. It is part of an assignment promoting "Global Citizenship" and is supposed to help us be aware of the social, environmental, and economic impact your company has on the Global Community.
This is part of my "Small Act," and it is part of my job as a global citizen to not only point out some parts of your company that need improvement, but also suggest ways for improvement. Please read through this, as I guarantee that I have some ideas to make your business better to the global community.
I saw some statistics and evidence I found concerning. I found a link to a PETA website showing some of your workers abusing the chickens to points of near-death torture. I found this horrifying that the chicken I enjoyed sometimes in the past could have come from such destructive measures. I would not wish to support a company if I knew that this is what they did to their products. I read that these workers were frustrated with their low pay, venting their anger off at the chickens.
I saw on Green Peace that a study proved that your products held at least 50% Rain Forest fiber as of 2012. I know you have made some of an effort to help this, which is great. However, this is not enough. As global citizens we all are responsible for the sustainability of our planet. I understand that you are a company- and your shareholders and your customers are your primary concern. However, after talking with some customers outside a few of your shops, they were shocked to find out that the delicious chicken they enjoyed had such a large impact on other human beings and the environment.
I understand that you buy your paper products from a company called Asia Pulp and Paper. This company has been involved with deforestation, destruction of habitat, and poor working conditions for workers. I think it is best to follow KFC in Indonesia's example and stop buying from APP. If your entire company boycotted APP, APP could potentially realize the harm it is causing, governments may set up conservation laws after they see that a corporation such as yourself realizes the threat APP poses.
On a brighter side, I have recently went to one of your outlets and I am pleased to say that all of them are very happy with working at KFC- despite being paid minimum wage (around 11 dollars in Canada). This shows something. However, I cannot be sure this is the opinion of all your employees.
I discovered while researching a quote from one of your former members of your animal-advisory council, Adele Douglass. Adele said that "KFC never had any meetings. They never asked any advice, and they touted to the press that they had this animal welfare advisory committee. I felt like I was being used." If this is truly the case, I think it would be best that you try changing this as fast as you can. My friends, family and I would feel much better about eating at KFC if we knew they actually did something to help their chicken. It would result in a better tasting meal as well.
I am aware that many chicken farmers are paying the price in order for the chicken to get to KFC. In a film about corporations, my class learned that even though these measures may gain temporary wealth- it cannot sustain itself through this system.
I understand that no company will ever be perfect, but I think that by realizing these small things and discussing them in your corporation will lead to great change. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step, albeit a small one to the right direction. Please consider what I have told you today. I look forward to hearing your response.
Sincerely,
Anonymous
Global Citizen
Civics Student
SUGGESTIONS OF SMALL ACTS YOU CAN DO AS A GLOBAL CITIZEN, NOT JUST IN REGARDS TO THE KFC ISSUE BUT FOR ALL FUTURE ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE IN THE FUTURE.
- Inform the public about the situation
- Spread the information on social media, like Doug did
- Contact the Company, if possible, through a hand written one (here is a video explaining the power of hand written letters. Although it focuses on political change, it can virtually still address any other issues
- Talk with an Expert or other people interested in resolving the issue, together you can combine ideas to make change
- Write a letter to your government, if applicable. Your representative can address these issues in the government, as the government has more power to resolve these issues, by creating preservation laws, etc.
- Finally, you can get yourself informed on the situation as much as possible or take action yourself! Peaceful protesting may catch the eye of larger powers who may help address this issue.
I hope that through this blog post and this website that you have understood what being a global citizen truly is, and that I have motivate you to take action against not only the issues KFC has, but to take action against any issue that violates the rights of fellow human beings. Again, the planet and the lives of other humans are in the hands of every human. If everyone does their small act, soon huge change will be made, leading to a more sustainable, happier world.
See Works Cited Page for Complete Citations.