The reputation of KFC ( Kentucky Fried Chicken) in China, got a severe beating, when in December 2012, a share of the Chicken used by the Fast food chain was found having hazardous levels of antibiotics in them. The state television, which called the misuse a scandal, claimed that the poultry suppliers were using excessive levels of antibiotics to fatten chickens.

Courtesy the Scandal, the KFC, owned by Yum Brands Inc. (USA), says sales in China might fall by as much as 25 per cent in the current quarter.

To get back the lost reputation, KFC on Monday said that it will strengthen oversight of its suppliers and expand drug testing. It said more than 1,000 small producers used by the company's 25 poultry suppliers have been eliminated from its network.

KFC is China's biggest fast-food chain with more than 4,000 outlets. China accounts for about 40 per cent of KFC's profit.

What about India?

In the last one decade, chicken consumption has increased substantially in India (including Uttarakhand). One of the reasons for increased chicken consumption is -- many people avoiding red meat (goat or sheep)  for health reasons. But, what if there's a similar antibiotics misuse in Indian Poultry Industry as well? After all, poultry industry in India is also becoming more and more uniform ( in chicken weight and fat content).

Government must test some of these chicken samples for antibiotics.
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