KFC Sues 3 Chinese Companies For Spreading False Chicken Rumor: 6 Wings & 8 Legs

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KFC has filed a lawsuit against three Chinese companies for spreading false rumors about the livestock they are using in making the food selections they serve in China-based KFC branches.

The lawsuit has been filed in Shanghai, reports Yahoo. The Shanghia Xuhui District People's Court has already accepted the case, according to a Chinese press officer who would only give her surname, Wu.

According to the BBC, "KFC is seeking compensation of 1.5 million yuan - which is equivalent to $242,000 - and an apology." In addition, the popular food chain, owned by YUM Brand, is also seeking "an immediate stop to their infringements."

The three companies targeted by the lawsuit are Shanxi Weilukuang Technology Company Ltd., Taiyuan Zero Point Technology Company and Yingchenanzhi Success and Culture Communication Ltd.—all three companies are based in Shenzhen City, China.

The three Chinese companies reportedly spread false rumors pertaining to the quality of food served in KFC, which has over 4,600 branches in China. The rumors were spread through the WeChat app and were reposted over 4,000 times on the web.

The most well-known rumor stated that KFC's chicken is genetically enhanced and has six wings and eight legs, reports the Wall Stree Journal.

It would seem that KFC's public image has been damaged in the recent years, which explains why the company is taking a major action in suing the three Chinese companies.

In 2012, the Chinese media reported that one of the suppliers for KFC allegedly used growth hormones and antibiotics to fatten their chickens.

As a result, KFC had to apologize to Chinese regulators for failing to inform them about the high levels of certain drugs and hormones used to accelerate the growth of the fast food chains' poultry.

Last year, another supplier for the well-known food chain caught the eye of the Chinese media, reports Time. The supplier was reportedly selling old meat, thereby bringing about a public relations nightmare in China for the brand.

Referring to the rumors, Qu Cuironng, the president of KFC in China said: "This not only seriously misled consumers, but also hurt our brand."

Cuirong added that it was difficult to protect the brand against rumors because it wasn't easy to collect evidence in the past.

"But the stepped-up efforts by the [Chinese] government in recent years to purify the online environment, as well as some judicial interpretations, have offers us confidence and weapons," Cuirong said.

Yahoo reports that a renewed campaign was launched two years ago in an effort to clean up rumors, negativity and unruliness presumably spread via the Internet. Some critics believe the campaign is aimed at "suppressing criticism of the ruling Communist Party," adds Yahoo.