KFC contains dreaded bacteria E.coli & Salmonella

After the Maggi noodles which was banned across the country following controversy over presence of high percentage of Mono Sodium Glutamate, it is now the turn of popular food joint Kentucky Fried Chicken to land in similar trouble. Telangana State Food Laboratory has confirmed the presence of dreaded bacteria – E coli and Salmonella – in the chicken samples collected from KFC. 

The lab in its report said that both the bacteria are pathogenic and could cause disease in humans and animals alike. The ready-to-eat chicken pieces from KFC were submitted to the lab by Hyderabad-based child rights and protection association Balala Hakkula Sangham. The rights group, which released a copy of the report, urged governments in AP and Telangana to close down all KFC outlets in the wake of the lab findings.

Food analyst at the State Food Laboratory A V Krishna Kumari, in her report dated June 24, stated, “I am of the opinion that the sample contains Ecoli and Salmonella, which are pathogens and injurious to health. It is therefore unsafe.” The fried food sample of KFC chicken product was submitted to the lab on June 18.

The food, according to the lab reports, was manufactured by Filed Fresh Foods Private Limited, Survey No. 155/1, Malukndapally village, Dulvakoti Taluq House – Main Road. While Escherichia coli (Ecoli) is the most prevalent infecting variety of bacteria responsible for infant diarrhoea, Salmonella infections can even cause death in infants and the elderly. Though most Ecoli strains do not cause the disease, virulent



strains can cause gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections, and neonatal meningitis.

It can also cause severe abdominal cramps and diarrhoea that typically turns bloody within 24 hours, and sometimes cause fever. E coli mostly live in the intestines of cattle, but these bacteria have also been found in the intestines of chickens, deer, sheep, and pigs. Salmonella causes disease in humans and animals. After food containing Salmonella is consumed, the bacteria pass through the stomach to the intestine. Here, they bind to the wall of the intestine and penetrate the barrier between internal and external intestinal system. Later, they would gain access to liver or spleen. For most other bacteria, this journey would kill them.

However, Salmonella has evolved mechanisms to prevent our immune system from doing its job efficiently. In the liver, the Salmonella can grow again, and be released back into the intestine. Unfortunately, in immune-compromised people, that is the elderly, young, or people with depressed immune systems, Salmonella infections are often fatal if they are not treated with antibiotics.

Although not all of the Salmonella pass through the intestinal wall, these bacteria can than survive in the soil or in rivers and infect the next person, cow, or chicken that comes along. In view of the dangers posed by the presence of these bacteria in KFC chicken products, the child rights association APBHS has threatened to file criminal cases against KFC in AP and Telangana if the governments fail to take immediate action.