KFC Announces Adoption of Industry-Leading Poultry Guidelines

LOUISVILLE, KY - 1 May, 2003 -

Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation (KFC) today committed to the adoption of comprehensive industry-leading guidelines and audits for the humane raising and handling of poultry. The company additionally requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Labor to review a proposal on the feasibility of gas-killing chickens as an alternative to current methods used in the United States. The proposal has been suggested by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). KFC established an Animal Welfare Advisory Council two years ago to improve on the company's long-standing practices with regards to animal welfare and the processing of poultry by its suppliers. The Council is comprised of nationally and internationally recognized experts in the field, including: Dr. Temple Grandin, Assistant Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University; Dr. Adelle Douglass, Executive Director of Farm Animal Services; Dr. Ian Duncan, Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Ontario; Dr. Joy Mench, Director of the Center for Animal Welfare, University of CA; Dr. Bruce Webster, a poultry scientist at the University of Georgia; Dr. Jim Ayres, Director of Research & Quality Assurance for Goldkist, Inc., and Ellis Brunton, Senior Vice President of Science & Regulatory Affairs, Tyson Foods. Since the formation of the Council, the company has begun unannounced audits of its suppliers' processing facilities. KFC does not own or operate any poultry farms or processing facilities. Instead, it purchases chickens from 18 different suppliers who collectively operate 52 facilities around the country. The new standards, adopted by KFC today, address the breeding, hatching and raising of poultry at the farm level. The standards, to be published in mid-May, were developed by leading animal welfare experts at the direction of the National Council of Chain Restaurants and the Food Marketing Institute. It is the first time the industry has set farm- level poultry welfare standards, and KFC has been at the forefront of this effort. The new standards address: education and training of poultry supplier personnel improved hatchery operation conditions proper nutrition and feeding appropriate comfort and shelter healthcare of the chickens adequate growth space routine inspections of facilities catching and transportation Members of KFC's Animal Welfare Advisory Council have endorsed these new standards and KFC's action today. "I'm pleased that KFC is adopting the comprehensive NCCR/FMI Poultry Guidelines and I look forward to working with the company on implementing these guidelines and training the KFC auditors," said Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, a world-renowned expert on animal welfare and member of the KFC's Animal Welfare Advisory Council. Dr. Grandin has been engaged by KFC to assist with implementation of its farm-level guidelines and will continue to conduct announced and unannounced audits of its suppliers to ensure full compliance. Additionally, the company is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Labor to review gas-killing technology for poultry as a possible alternative to current poultry slaughter methods. The company is asking the federal government to study whether this alternative method: 1) is more humane than current slaughter methods; 2) is safe for human consumption and does not negatively impact the quality of the meat produced; 3) meets OSHA safety standards, and, 4) is available in the United States for large scale commercial usage. "KFC is committed to the humane treatment of poultry used for our products," said Cheryl Bachelder, KFC president. "Our new guidelines will strengthen KFC's animal welfare practices and KFC is proud to be leading the industry in adopting these new standards that improve conditions for poultry at the farm level." "KFC is the first restaurant company to publicly endorse these industry-leading, comprehensive guidelines for poultry," said Terrie Dort, President, National Council of Chain Restaurants. "I'm pleased that KFC has decided to take this leadership role," added Dort. KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe , Extra Crispy , Colonel's Crispy Strips chicken and KFC Popcorn Chicken with home-style sides and freshly made chicken sandwiches. Since its founding by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, KFC has been serving customers delicious, already-prepared complete family meals at affordable prices. There are over 11,000 KFC outlets in more than 80 countries and territories around the world serving some eight million customers each day. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE:YUM)

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