ALTHOUGH mindful of the reported outbreaks of bird flu virus in Guangdong, employees of Shenzhen Ocean Star Cosmetics Co. decided to give themselves a Lantern Festival treat at a KFC outlet on Zhenhua Road.

"We are afraid of the virus but high temperatures will kill the virus," a Miss Zhuang said.

Vincent Choo, general manager of Shenzhen KFC Co. Ltd., gave an assurance that the quality of the chicken was good in its nearly 60 restaurants throughout the city.

"Business in KFC restaurants is as usual," he said at a news conference Thursday.

KFC had established a long-term relationship with 30 leading chicken suppliers across the country, whose management had passed ISO9001 and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point), a food safety program developed by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States.

All the chicken products at the restaurants are cooked at a temperature of 170 degrees Celsius for two and a half minutes to 14 minutes, Choo said.

The company had made plans requiring all suppliers to ensure safety in breeding and transportation and reserved the right to change suppliers if a problem was encountered.

In addition, the restaurants disinfect all facilities daily and have strengthened hygiene and health management for staff to ensure safety in all restaurants.

 
Editor: Wings