As the three KFC outlets remain closed in Fiji, the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji states that it is not responsible for the closure and it also said that it has not placed any ban on the importation of KFC’s key ingredients.
Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Chairman of the Biosecurity Authority, Colonel Mason Smith said KFC’s consignment of the milk and egg mix is temporarily held up because the Veterinary Certification is required from KFC assuring that the products are free of diseases and safe to bring into Fiji.
Colonel Smith said the ingredients were earlier imported from Australia with the proper certification.
Although KFC said they have been importing the ingredients for the past ten years, he said it should be understood that their supplier is now different.
He said this is consistent with the conditions for all imports and Fiji’s international obligations.
Colonel Smith describes KFC’s move to blame the Biosecurity Authority for the closure of their business as a mischievous public relations tactic to divert attention from the fact that KFC’s closure is due to rising costs and depleting sales.
Earlier today KFC announced the temporary closure of all its three restaurants in Fiji. KFC said they have suspended the Fiji operations due to import restrictions placed on certain ingredients by the Fiji Quarantine and Inspection Division.
The KFC management said it is working to resolve the import restriction. The company states that the permanent closure would affect about 80 full time and part time employees.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
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