KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - Malaysia's fast-food restaurants have assured the public that their chickens are not imported from countries affected by the avian virus, but are obtained from local farms. KFC Holdings (Malaysia) Bhd group public relations deputy general manager Rosniza Baharum said chickens used by KFC, Ayamas and Pizza Hut were safe. "The public has nothing to worry about as we do not use imported chickens. We have our own poultry farms," she said.
Rosniza said local farms were working closely with the Veterinary Services Department, the Islamic Development Department and the State Health Departments to ensure hygiene was maintained. "Operations at local farms are monitored by the departments, thus the public need not worry." Dave's Deli group managing director David Chin said the bird flu outbreak in neighboring countries might have a psychological effect on consumers here.
“We, are concerned as it may affect chicken consumption, but we will change the menu if this happens," he said, adding that the chickens they used also came from local farms. He also said contingency measures should be drawn up. Nando's Chicken land Malaysia Sdn Bhd marketing manager Jason Lim said although the Government was enforcing tight security on poultry, the only source of concern was smuggled chickens.” As for Nando's, our chickens are, bred and slaughtered locally."
Lim said as long as consumers were aware on how the avian virus was transmitted, they should not worry unnecessarily about an outbreak. Berjaya Roasters (M) Sdn. Bhd, which operates the Kenny Rogers Roasters food, chain, has so far not seen a drop in customers. "But we do not know what will happen in the coming weeks," its director, Wang Yong Cheng, said. "The bird flu in neighboring countries could affect the Malaysian market soon. "Looking at the situation and the proximity of the affected countries, people may become more cautious" Wang said Kenny Rogers Roasters obtained its chickens from a local poultry supplier which has an integrated plant. |