KFC fined for serving raw chicken burger

KFC has been fined almost £5,000 after serving a raw chicken burger in a London outlet this January. It is the latest in a string of successful food hygiene prosecutions won by Westminster City Council since July, and KFC is the second national chain to be taken to court, following a case against Pizza Hut earlier this year.

KFC pleaded guilty at Marylebone Magistrates Court to the charge of serving a Chicken Zinger Burger that was unfitfor human consumption to acustomer, Stephanie Dyer, atits store at 358 Harrow Road, west London.

The company was fined £3,000 and asked to pay £1,845.91 costs.

The magistrate described the matter as "extremely serious" while Nigel Binns, microbiologist and expert witness for the council, told the court, "If Ms Dyer had consumed some of the burger, she could have suffered serious food poisoning."

Councillor Jonathan Djanogly, chairman of Westminster's environment and leisure committee, said: "It is unacceptable that a national company such as KFC failed to meet even the most basic food guidelines."

A spokesman for KFC said the chicken had been undercooked "due to human error" and represented "an isolated incident in the context of the millions of pieces cooked each week." He added: "We have apologised to the consumer and ensured that all relevant personnel have been reminded of the strict cooking processes." by Angela Frewin