KFC Canada partners with Chicken Farmers of Canada on the Raised by a Canadian Farmer branding program

Seal signifies KFC's ongoing commitment to serving Canadian chicken raised with the highest standards of quality and care

VAUGHAN, ON, June 17, 2019 /CNW/ - KFC Canada today announced its partnership with Chicken Farmers of Canada by featuring the Raised by a Canadian Farmer seal on its products, which demonstrates the commitment of restaurants and grocery retailers who source chicken raised to the highest standards of quality and care by Canadian farmers, of which 100 per cent of KFC Canada's system supports.

Raised by a Canadian Farmer (CNW Group/KFC Canada)

The Raised by a Canadian Farmer seal not only represents where the chicken comes from, but also stands for a three-fold set of exacting standards: Animal Care, ensuring chicken health and welfare on farms; On-Farm Food Safety, emphasizing cleanliness, safety and biosecurity on farms; and Sustainability, committing to sustainability efforts and farm land preservation.

"KFC Canada stands behind its chicken quality and taste credentials and we're proud to serve chicken that Canadians trust and love, from our classic Original Recipe buckets to our boneless Tenders," said Nivera Wallani, President and General Manager, KFC Canada. "Featuring the Chicken Farmers of Canada Raised by a Canadian Farmer seal on our products demonstrates and reinforces not only our support for Canadian chicken farmers, but our commitment to serving chicken raised with industry-leading animal welfare, food safety and sustainability practices."

Canadians will begin to see the Raised by a Canadian Farmer seal on in-store packaging and signage at KFC locations across the country, as well as on KFC Canada's social media pages and website.

"The Raised by a Canadian Farmer brand is synonymous with origin and quality and is a symbol for the innovation, pride, and hard work that Canadian chicken farmers put in every day," said Benoît Fontaine, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Canada. "For years, KFC Canada has demonstrated to the world that chicken partners throughout the Canadian value chain are committed to delivering on consumer expectations for food safety, animal care, and sustainability excellence."

According to the Chicken Farmers of Canada's 2016 Sustainability Report, 80 per cent of Canadians say they trust farmers. Additionally, 77 per cent say they trust Canadian raised chicken seals coming directly from farmers rather than manufactures or retailers. The Raised by a Canadian Farmer seal lets consumers know the chicken they're getting has been sourced from local farmers, and adheres to the following standards:

1. Animal Care
   Animal care is a mandatory program that demonstrates proper animal care throughout each step of the production cycle, from the birds' arrival in the barn including transportation and processing, to ensuring farmers adhere to strict antimicrobial strategies laid out by both industry and the government.
   
   
2. On-Farm Food Safety
   On-Farm Food Safety comprises animal health, cleanliness and safety throughout each step of the production cycle and sees farmers follow strict biosecurity measures to protect animal health and prevent flock infections from outside sources.
   
   These mandatory rules govern chicken farms from coast to coast and include top-notch requirements for biosecurity, disease prevention, feed, water management and testing, along with all the record keeping necessary to prove that farmers are adhering to the process.
   
   
3. Sustainability
   Sustainable chicken production means protecting animal health and welfare, producing safe chicken, preserving the health of the land and of Canadian farms, and contributing to the Canadian economy by providing affordable food to Canadians through proper supply management.

"KFC Canada appreciates that Canadian consumers not only have a vested interest in where their food comes from, but the values in which a restaurant upholds," said Wallani. "KFC is famous for our taste, but we've equally always been dedicated to the chicken we serve. We're excited to partner with Chicken Farmers of Canada in the Raised by a Canadian Farmer branding program as it signifies the quality, passion and commitment of Canadian chicken farmers – values the Colonel himself exemplified in everything he did."

To learn more about the Raised by a Canadian Farmer brand, visit www.chicken.ca.

About KFC Canada
Founded by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, KFC is now the world's most popular chain of chicken restaurants. To this day the Colonel's own blend of 11 herbs and spices is still used to season our Original Recipe® chicken and it still remains a very closely guarded secret. KFC's specialty is our famous Original Recipe® chicken, but we also feature a variety of freshly prepared sandwiches and wraps, on the go snack items, home-style sides, desserts and beverages.

Today KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of YUM! Brands Inc. and operates more than 21,000 restaurants in more than 130 countries around the world including more than 600 locations right here in Canada. To learn more about KFC Canada, visit our website www.kfc.ca.

About Chicken Farmers of Canada
Chicken Farmers of Canada represents the 2,800 chicken farmers from coast to coast, and ensures that the Canadian chicken that consumers want is safe, delicious, and raised to the highest standards.

Chicken Farmers of Canada introduced its "Raised by a Canadian Farmer" brand in 2013 to showcase the commitment of farmers to provide families with nutritious chicken raised to the highest standards of care, quality and freshness.

People care deeply about their food, about knowing where it comes from and that what they are serving to their family and friends is of the highest quality; our farmers and their families are no different. So when we say that the Canadian chicken industry is good for Canadians, it's because we know that we're raising our chickens to the highest standards: yours.

SOURCE KFC Canada

For further information: Media Contact: Jackie Warren, Edelman, [e-mail], 416-850-0383