It seems it's not so finger lickin' good at the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) branch in Modderdam Road, Belhar, Cape Town. A viral video, taken by a Bishop Lavis resident on Sunday night, has exposed what appears to be shockingly unhygienic conditions inside the restaurant's kitchen, sparking outrage and raising serious questions about food safety standards.
The video, which has rapidly spread across social media platforms, shows a kitchen floor in a state of utter disarray. Cups, tissues, and discarded chips litter the floor, creating a scene that is far from appetising. The man who filmed the video can be heard expressing his disgust, saying in Afrikaans: "Kyk hoe lyk it hier binne in die Kentucky, Belhar. These people are working with food but see how it looks inside. Yoh…" (Look at how it looks inside this Kentucky Belhar.) His words, filled with disbelief and revulsion, resonate with many who have viewed the footage.
An employee can be seen casually walking over the debris while another customer's order is being taken in the background, highlighting a seemingly blatant disregard for hygiene protocols.
The man who captured the footage, who wishes to remain anonymous, explained the circumstances that led to his disturbing discovery. He and his wife had been in town to watch the Festive Lights Switch-On and decided to grab a bite to eat at the Belhar KFC, knowing that its drive-through was open 24 hours.
"My wife and I went to KFC in Modderdam, Belhar, because we know their drive through is open 24 hours," he explained.
However, their late-night craving soon turned into a nightmare. After waiting in the drive-through queue for over an hour, they grew increasingly impatient. The driver in the car behind them also became suspicious of the delay.
"We waited in the drive through for over an hour, waiting on our food. The driver behind me went to see why are they taking so long with our food. He pulled his face in disgust and that prompted me to also go check why is he pulling his face like that," he recounted.
What he saw when he peered through the window left him utterly shocked and disgusted. The state of the kitchen was far worse than he could have imagined.
"When I got to the window, I was shocked to see the kitchen. My plak het gesak," he said, using a local expression to convey his utter disappointment.
The sight of the filthy kitchen completely killed his appetite. The couple had spent approximately R300 on their order, but they couldn't bring themselves to eat the food.
"I wasn’t even hungry anymore, I was just naar," he said. "We spent about R300 on the food but we did not eat it."
He confronted the staff about the appalling conditions, questioning why the kitchen was in such a state. His description paints a vivid picture of the scene: "I asked them why does their kitchen look like this. It looked like a varkhok," he exclaimed, comparing the kitchen to a pigsty.
The video and the customer's account have triggered a wave of anger and concern among South Africans. Many have expressed their disgust and vowed to boycott the Belhar KFC branch until the matter is adequately addressed. Others have called for stricter regulations and more frequent inspections of food outlets to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
KFC has responded to the viral video with an official statement, acknowledging the footage and expressing their concern.
"KFC is aware of a video circulating online with respect to the KFC Belhar restaurant," the statement reads.
The company maintains that it has stringent standards for food safety, hygiene, and cleanliness, and that the conditions depicted in the video are unacceptable.
"KFC requires that all restaurants comply with stringent food-safety, hygiene, and cleanliness standards and does not condone the behaviour depicted in the footage," the statement continues.
KFC has assured the public that it is taking the matter seriously and is working with the franchisee to implement immediate corrective actions.
"KFC confirms that it is addressing the matter with the Franchisee and that immediate retraining and corrective actions are being implemented at the restaurant," the statement concludes.
However, many remain sceptical, questioning how such a blatant breach of hygiene standards could have occurred in the first place. They argue that retraining and corrective actions are not enough and that a thorough investigation is needed to determine the root cause of the problem and to hold those responsible accountable.
The incident has also raised broader questions about the effectiveness of food safety inspections and regulations in South Africa. Some argue that the current system is inadequate and that more resources are needed to ensure that food outlets comply with hygiene standards.
The Belhar KFC scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety and hygiene. It highlights the potential risks that consumers face when food outlets fail to maintain adequate standards and the need for greater vigilance and accountability in the food industry.
As the investigation into the Belhar KFC incident unfolds, it is clear that this is a matter of significant public interest. The health and safety of consumers must be the top priority, and every effort must be made to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The public awaits the outcome of the investigation with bated breath, hoping that it will lead to meaningful changes and a renewed commitment to food safety in South Africa.
The incident has not only damaged the reputation of the Belhar KFC branch but has also raised concerns about the overall standards of the fast-food industry in South Africa. Consumers are now more aware than ever of the potential risks associated with eating out and are demanding greater transparency and accountability from food outlets.
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