February 7, 2008

Why cross the road for KFC chicken?

The Wall Street Journal reports KFC is looking to start serving non-fried chicken.

Yes, that's right. The company that gave you 3,000 calories in a bucket is looking to change its ways.

Its core business remains fried chicken on the bone. But disappointing U.S. sales last year "underscored the need for dramatic change," CEO David Novak said.

The changes are an acknowledgment by the company that its major U.S. businesses are in need of rejuvenation to meet changing consumer tastes...

Consumers don't want a bucket of lard. Chicken and turkey can be the healthiest of foods. KFC bring back a better chicken.

February 2, 2008

Don't feed the (obese) animals!

Sometimes even I think I might be too strident in trying to get restaurants to change their ways.

But today I realize I might be too timid.

USATODAY.com reports three legislators want to make it illegal for restaurants to serve obese customers in Mississippi. Now Mississppi has one of the worst obesity problems in America. And if restaurants continue to insist on supersizing all portions of calories and fat then the government will step in.

By resisting every attempt to reduce obesity (or even acknowledge they are part of the problem), restaurants are inviting criticism and regulation.

House Bill No. 282, which was introduced this month, says: Any food establishment to which this section applies shall not be allowed to serve food to any person who is obese, based on criteria prescribed by the State Department of Health. The State Department of Health shall prepare written materials that describe and explain the criteria for determining whether a person is obese, and shall provide those materials to all food establishments to which this section applies. A food establishment shall be entitled to rely on the criteria for obesity in those written materials when determining whether or not it is allowed to serve food to any person."

The proposal would allow health inspectors to yank the permit from any restaurant that "repeatedly" feeds extremely overweight customers.