KFC's five year old email hoax

The Desk couldn't resist this one.

    Thanks Mrs. K for the tip for the Urban Legend page.

    The shrieking email claims the Colonel is deep frying something akin to Frankinbird.

    Well.... Let's think about it for a second.

    Could CNN or Foxnews resist this story if it had any glimmer of truth? Especially since the email has been around since 2000 in one form or another? Link goes to- hoaxbusters.ciac.org

    Second- the email claims they don't use the 'C' word. Then explain the slogan "We do chicken right"?

    Next- Would the US Justice Department allow them to be in "in predominately black neighborhoods"? Which doesn't hold up with several local restaurants at all, never mind the ones that are in travel plazas on interstate highways in the middle of nowhere.

    The email cites research done at the University of New Hampshire. Well.... evidently that research was news to UNH-

"    An active Internet hoax, of the urban legend type, falsely claims that KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is using genetically engineered organisms instead of chickens. The hoax includes reference to an unspecified study of KFC done at the University of New Hampshire and there is no such research or study that was done here.
    When you read the message carefully you can see it has all the hallmarks of a hoax. It starts with a well known subject (KFC) and a timely topic (genetic modification of animals and plants) and then spins out a story that progresses from possible, to improbable, and finally to impossible. As an extra touch of false verisimilitude, there is the vague reference to a study at the University of New Hampshire!"
www.unh.edu

    From KFC itself on an issue PETA raised in 2003 about the treatment of those feathery things that aren't supposed to be regular yard birds.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (January 7, 2003) - KFC is committed to the well being and humane treatment of chickens and we require all of our suppliers to follow welfare guidelines developed by us with leading experts on our Animal Welfare Advisory Council. Our suppliers are receiving unannounced audits at their poultry facilities throughout the year. Failure to comply with our strict guidelines would result in termination of our supplier agreement if remedial action is not taken.
    Additionally, we have taken a leadership role with our trade associations to establish standardized guidelines for the entire poultry industry, including quick service restaurants. Our expectation is that these industry-wide guidelines will be completed in February.
www.KFC.com

    And even the Colonel's detractors claim he is abusing real chickens

    "KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) does chickens wrong."
www.kfccruelty.com

Now we'll take a look at some other sources.

The issue at the famous www.snopes.com

www.truthorfiction.com looks at it.

SPAM email hoax quoted below.

From: Kathleen
To: Doc L
Subject: Fw: KFC ?
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2005 17:47:22 -0500

True?

K
----- Original Message -----
From: CRBulford
To: Kathleen
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 12:59 PM
Subject: Fw: KFC ?

IS THIS TRUE!!!!!!

----- Forwarded by Carsandra on 11/29/2005 07:58 PM -----

[NOTE: Multiple forwardings with INTACT email addresses a spammer's dream removed ]

KFC has been a part of our American traditions for many years. Many people,day in and day out, eat at KFC religiously.  Do they really know what they are eating?
During a recent study of KFC done at the University of New Hampshire, they found some very upsetting facts.
First of all, has anybody noticed that just recently, the company has changed their name?
Kentucky Fried Chicken has become KFC.  Does anybody know why? We thought the real reason was because of the "FRIED" food issue.  IT'S NOT!  !
The reason why they call it KFC is because they can not use the word chicken anymore.  Why? KFC does not use real chickens. They actually use genetically manipulated organisms.  These so called "chickens" are kept alive by tubes inserted into their bodies to pump blood and nutrients throughout  their structure.  They have no beaks, no feathers, and no feet.
Their bone structure is dramatically shrunk to get more meat out  of them. This is great for KFC.  Because they do not have to pay so much for their production costs.  There is no more plucking of the feathers or the removal of the beaks and feet. The government has told them to change all of their menus so they do  not say chicken anywhere.  If you look closely you will notice this. Listen to their commercials, I guarantee you will not see or hear the word chicken. I find this matter to be very disturbing. I hope people will start to realize this and let other people know.
Please forward this message to as many people as you can. Together we make KFC start using real chicken again.
I also heard that this is the reason the Russel Simmons is protesting KFC. Even though he is a vegetarian he see that KFC is in predominately black neighborhoods and found this to be disturbing.
This transmission is intended only for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and it contains information that is confidential.  If you have received this communication in error, please destroy these materials and contact the sender immediately at the phone number/email address listed above.

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