KFC Under Fire for Low-Carb Claims
KFC has hit some marketing stumbling blocks as it tries to form a new identity as a healthy-dining option. Federal regulators have ruled that the QSR can no longer claim that its fried chicken is compatible with the low-carb lifestyle.
KFC initially ran ads that claimed that its fried chicken is compatible with low-carb diets, however these claims were never substantiated with any nutritional evidence. The FTC was notified of these claims by the Center for Science in the Public Interest and began investigations. KFC pulled these ads, which claimed that its original recipe chicken breasts have less fat than a Whopper, in November.
Though two KFC fried chicken breasts have slightly less total fat and saturated fat than Burger King’s Whopper, they have more than three times the trans fat and cholesterol, more than twice the sodium and more calories, the FTC said. Therefore, the suggestion that this chicken could be a part of a low-carb diet was false, according to the FTC, because such programs advise against eating breaded, fried foods.
Continuing its promotional efforts, KFC has joined forces with Dale Earnhardt Jr. KFC is sponsoring the Chance 2 Motorsports team for six races in the NASCAR Busch Series and Earnhardt appears in KFC’s new TV spots and buckets. The races begin July 2 in Daytona, FL.
The spots and limited-edition commemorative buckets make their debut this week, marking the first time in history that Colonel Sanders’ mug has not appeared on the buckets. The containers feature Earnhardt in racing gear, quoting “My favorite chicken” and his signature.
Foote, Cone & Belding, Chicago created the spot.
