“KFC will test lab-grown chicken nuggets made with a 3D bioprinter in Russia later this year,” reads the headline in a screenshot of a Business Insider article, posted on Instagram.
The article is real and dated 21 July 2020. It says that KFC has partnered with 3D Bioprinting Solutions “to create a chicken nugget that will mimic the taste and appearance of its original nuggets at a fraction of the environmental cost”.
But Facebook’s fact-checking system has flagged the post as possibly false. Is the claim true? Will KFC chicken nuggets be lab-grown in the future? We investigated.
‘Eco-friendly alternative to traditional meat’
The idea of lab-grown chicken nuggets was part of KFC’s “concept of creating a restaurant of the future, which leverages state-of-the-art technology such as 3D bioprinting to overcome solutions in the food industry, including more eco-friendly alternatives to traditional meat”, Russia Briefing, a magazine and daily news service, reported in September 2020.
Raisa Polyakova, general manager of KFC, told the magazine: “At KFC, we are closely monitoring all of the latest trends and innovations and doing our best to keep up with the times by introducing advanced technologies to our restaurant networks.”
It also says KFC Russia will be working with 3D Bioprinting Solutions. The process will use chicken cells and plant material to “generate an edible product that closely replicates the taste and texture of chicken meat”.
The website 3D Printing Media, which publishes media, insights, analysis and marketing for the 3D printing industry, has also reported on the lab-grown chicken idea.
The “synthetic meat” will have the same elements as traditional chicken meat, they report, but without any need for additives.
“The cell-based chicken products will thus be ‘cleaner’, as well as more ethical, both in terms of animal care and the environment,” the article adds.
‘Just an experiment’
Africa Check asked KFC about the reports. “KFC is constantly testing new product concepts to address changing consumer preferences,” KFC international told us.
“KFC Russia's July 2020 announcement on cell-cultured meat is just an experiment and not part of a long-term strategy. Rest assured that we remain focused on providing the high-quality KFC food that our customers know, love and crave.”
Yes, KFC in Russia did explore the potential of lab-grown chicken, but the company said it is not part of its global long-term strategy.
Republish our content for free
For publishers: what to do if your post is rated false
A fact-checker has rated your Facebook or Instagram post as “false”, “altered”, “partly false” or “missing context”. This could have serious consequences. What do you do?
Click on our guide for the steps you should follow.
Publishers guideAfrica Check teams up with Facebook
Africa Check is a partner in Meta's third-party fact-checking programme to help stop the spread of false information on social media.
The content we rate as “false” will be downgraded on Facebook and Instagram. This means fewer people will see it.
You can also help identify false information on Facebook. This guide explains how.
Add new comment