BEIJING – The fast food chain KFC is to sue three Chinese firms it accuses of using social media to spread false rumors about its food, including that it used eight-legged chickens.
KFC is seeking compensation of 1.5m Yuan ($242,000, £159,000) and an apology.
One of the posts said chickens used by the company were genetically modified to have six wings and eight legs.
A case has now been filed before a court in Shanghai. KFC says the rumors appeared in posts on the WeChat app.
“This not only seriously misled consumers, but also hurt our brand,” said Qu Cuirong, KFC China’s president.
The company named the original posters as Shanxi Weilukuang Technology Company Ltd, Taiyuan Zero Point Technology Company and Yingchenanzhi Success and Culture Communication Ltd.
Those firms have not commented on the court complaint.
The company’s owner, Yum Brands, warned of a drop in profits for 2014 after one of the suppliers to its Chinese stores was accused of selling old meat.
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