The Manager of Kazi Foods which operates the KFC franchise in Fiji said they will wait for another 10 days before making further decisions on the three Fiji outlets.
Although Fiji’s Biosecurity Authority said it only wants proper Vet Certification for the imported milk and egg mix and the breading salt, Steve Johnson has told Pacific Beat that he does not know why this is being done now.
KFC Fiji is now waiting for a meeting called by the Commerce Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum with all the stakeholders tomorrow in relation to the suspension of KFC’s operations in the country.
KFC spokesperson Nirmal Singh said he has spoken to Sayed-Khaiyum and the Minister has taken the initiative to call the meeting to resolve the outstanding issues.
Meanwhile Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Chairman of the Biosecurity Authority Colonel Mason Smith said KFC’s ingredients were earlier imported from Australia with the proper certification.
Although KFC said they have been importing the ingredients for the past ten years and it was stopped by the Fiji authorities a few months ago Colonel Smith said it should be understood that KFC’s ingredient supply is now coming from Singapore.
Colonel Smith said the Authority is only trying to ensure all the importers follow the rules.
Colonel Smith said the rules are very clear.
Colonel Smith describes KFC’s move to blame the Biosecurity Authority for the closure of their business as a mischievous public relations tactic to divert attention from the fact that KFC=s closure is due to rising costs and depleting sales.
The KFC management said it is working to resolve the import restriction of its milk and egg mix and breading salt.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
