KFC has vowed to remove 20 per cent of calories ‘per serving’ by 2025
Fast food chain KFC has vowed to revamp its menu and remove 20 per cent of calories ‘per serving’ by 2025.
The ‘finger-licking good’ chicken giant, famous for Bargain Buckets and Zinger Burgers, are set to offer customers healthy sides instead of fries for free.
They are also considering offering only low or zero calories carbonated drinks – and are to trial a vegetarian option later this year.
But if you are a fan of KFC, there is no need to worry – because they won’t be changing the Colonel’s secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices.
KFC hope the new menu will help customers towards their ‘five-a-day’ target.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vKC0EgRaXE?enablejsapi=1&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=0&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&modestbranding=0&rel=1&showinfo=1&theme=dark&color=red&autohide=2&controls=2&playsinline=0&]
By 2020, the company plan to have more lunch and dinner options available under 600 calories, in line with Public Health England’s recent campaign.
The PHE want to encourages people to aim for 400 calories for breakfast, 600 for lunch and 600 for dinner, plus a couple of healthier snacks and drinks in-between.
KFC made the announcement now to allow time to test various methods to reduce the number of calories in the current menu without compromising on taste.
As part of the delivery of this programme, KFC is working with Head of Food Innovation, KFC UK & Ireland, Victoria Robertson.
Nutritionist Victoria said: “We know people are more passionate than ever about eating well, and we face a big challenge in shifting their perceptions of what we offer.
‘’We’ve done it before, though – the success of our Riceboxes has shown that our fans will go for lighter options from us.
‘’That said, we know any new menu and recipe changes will have to be just as tasty as today.
‘’It’s a tricky challenge, because our fans absolutely love our Original Recipe chicken, and we won’t be changing the Colonel’s secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices.
‘’This is about providing choice, and offering delicious, signature KFC taste that just happens to be lighter.”
The menu changes will see healthier sides to help customers towards their five-a-day KFC has also committed that they will only launch low or zero calorie carbonated soft drinks to further their calorie reduction.
Moreover, working with a series of partners, KFC will trial a behavioural change programme to help consumers make lighter and healthier choices.
This will include encouraging customers to switch to healthier sides as an alternative to fries for free and low or zero calorie drinks will be served by default.
Paula MacKenzie, General Manager, KFC UK & Ireland, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be making this commitment today.
‘’Our programme will not only provide our customers with an amazing, tasty range of healthier lunch and dinner dishes, but we’ll also be helping find ways to support them to make the lighter choice.
‘’Everyone in the food and drink industry, from fast food to traditional restaurants, is being scrutinised for the nutritional content of their meals.
‘’As an industry leader and world-famous brand, we know that we bear a responsibility to help move the sector forwards.”