August 8, 2011

Egg import issues prompt KFC to leave Fiji

KFC, the fried-chicken restaurant chain, has stopped all operations in Fiji, in the midst of a commotion over imports of ingredients it needs to make its flavoured crumb coating.

The multinational company stated that Fiji's military government had stopped it from importing herbs, milk and eggs, although Fijian officials said two cartons of eggs and milk were delayed because KFC needed to provide documentation.

"The onus is on KFC to provide us with a simple veterinary certificate, that is all we ask," Agriculture permanent secretary Colonel Mason Smith said, although Fijian officials also suggest that KFC is exaggerating the row, and the company is actually pulling out because its operation has gone bust.

KFC, which has three restaurants in Fiji said that the military government had stopped imports of its herb salt, milk and eggs late last year.

"The truth is BAF has only temporarily withheld two cartons of milk and egg mix because KFC did not have the required documentation," said Elvis Silvestrini, of Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF). "We have been waiting for the veterinary certificate since early May [2011]. When this is provided, we'll be able to release the cartons."