This archive report was first published on 4 January 2022.
January 4, 2022, marked a new year for KFC Kenya, but it also brought a shortage of potatoes in its outlets.
According to KFC East Africa CEO, Jacques Theunissen, the shortage is caused by delays in delivery from overseas suppliers, forcing the company to offer alternative food items in place of French fries.
Theunissen clarified the reason behind KFC's inability to use local potatoes, stating, 'The reason we cannot buy local at the moment is all suppliers need to go through the global QA approval process and we cannot bypass that even if we run out to ensure that our food is safe for consumption by our customers.'
However, this decision has sparked controversy, particularly in the US, where KFC was sued in 2005 for not warning clients about a potential carcinogen, acrylamide, activated in their potatoes due to high heat cooking.
Acrylamide is a byproduct created through the reaction of chemicals in food to high heat and is found in higher levels in cooked potato products. Studies have linked acrylamide exposure to an increased risk of cancer in rodent models.
As the debate surrounding KFC's potato sourcing continues, one thing is clear: the health implications of consuming high-heat cooked potatoes are a pressing concern.
