KFC's China supplier denies toxic chicken claims

TAIYUAN - A Chinese supplier to popular US fast food chain KFC on Tuesday denied reports claiming that its chickens are fed feedstuff laced with huge amounts of toxic additives that could "kill flies."

The Suhai Group, based in North China's Shanxi province, said in a statement that its chicken meat "does not have problems" and samples are being sent to the provincial quarantine agency for testing.

Media reports emerged last week alleging that Suhai Group adds toxic industrial chemicals to feedstuff to make chickens grow faster - 45 days for a chick to grow big enough for slaughter. Reports claimed that the feedstuff Suhai prepared was so toxic that it could even kill flies.

Suhai countered that its production lines have passed the government's annual quality checks, and 45 days is a normal growth cycle for a chicken.

China's food industry has suffered a series of scandals in recent years, from melamine-laced dairy products to recycled "gutter oil." The latest reports, though not yet verified, have sparked public fear.

According to Suhai's website, the company raises 120 million chickens annually. It also says it is a supplier to major fast food chains like KFC, airlines and colleges across the country and exports to Saudi Arabia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and South Africa.

McDonald's in China said earlier that Suhai is not among its suppliers, while KFC's China stores said Suhai's products make up only 1 percent of the chicken the fast food chain uses.