The effort is similar to campaigns launched against Wendy's (Wicked Wendy's), McDonald's (Unhappy Meals) and Burger King (Murder King), all of which addressed animal welfare issues. The three companies subsequently announced welfare guidelines, after which PETA discontinued their campaigns.
PETA says it sent a letter earlier this year to the CEO of KFC's parent company, Yum! Brands, "pointing out false statements being made by the company" regarding its welfare guidelines.
" ... PETA filed this lawsuit to prevent Yum and KFC from deceiving consumers," the organization said in a statement.
"It is unlawful to mislead consumers from the truth that if they're buying from the defendants, they're supporting animal abuse," Matthew Penzer, one of PETA's lawyers, said.
While KFC is keeping quiet about the issue, I doubt there is any question that the company believes the effort to be frivolous.
To me, the suit is PETA's way of trying to show it still has some teeth. With Wendy's, Burger King and McDonald's, the organization backed down when welfare guidelines were announced. KFC's guidelines are hardly different from the others.
In any case, mission accomplished for PETA; they grabbed more headlines.
On the Internet:
-KFC's animal welfare guidelines: www.kfc.com/about/animalwelfare.htm-PETA's KFC campaign: www.kfccruelty.com.
