This is the second finding by inspectors in KFC branches, in September they found marinated meat with an expired use-by date in the Liberec branch.
SZPI has carried out a large number of inspections at KFC branches in the Czech Republic, most of which have not yet been completed, added Kopřiva.
When thawing meat in stagnant water, which happened in Dejvice, there is a risk of bacteria multiplying, which can cause health problems. Common practice is to defrost under running water.
During the inspection, this procedure concerned almost nine kilograms of chicken fillets. According to the inspection, KFC thus violated provisions on food hygiene when it did not follow procedures based on the principles of the HACCP system, which is a preventive system for ensuring food safety. “The introduction and observance of this system is mandatory by law and controlled by the supervisory authorities as standard,” said Kopřiva.
KFC employees had to dispose of the meat, and SZPI will initiate administrative proceedings with the operator to impose a fine. Generally, in such a case, a fine of up to ten million crowns can be imposed.
We have tightened controls, claims the operator
The company AmRest, which operates KFC in the Czech Republic, has not yet commented on the latest offense. “We take health and safety issues very seriously and have strict food safety protocols in place. As an added precaution, we have introduced additional controls in restaurants and strengthened the implementation of our internal procedures to ensure permanent compliance in all establishments,” the company told Novinka about the food quality problems in its Czech establishments, which have been talked about for a long time.
In the summer, SZPI launched extensive inspections at KFC at the initiative of journalist Jan Tuna, who filmed several reports on hygienically inappropriate handling of meat.
“This is not a Czech episode, but a systemic problem. A similar scandal took place in Denmark, where all KFC branches eventually closed. It is the duty of the European institutions to ensure that EU citizens are sure that the food they buy is not dangerous to their health,” recently said MEP Tomáš Zdechovský (KDU-ČSL), who officially asked the European Food Safety Authority to investigate the chain.
In Denmark, all eleven of its branches there were temporarily closed. According to the testimony of several former employees, it was a common practice in them for years to sell expired meat and “extend” the shelf life by simply reprinting labels for expired meat.
