KFC sues supplier over chicken fires

Published 8:40 pm Wednesday, April 8, 2009

KFC is suing one of its suppliers, saying the cups used to hold popcorn chicken had a tendency to burst into flames while being reheated in a microwave oven.

The company alleges in a federal lawsuit that Paris Packaging Inc., of Paris, Texas, changed the content of the ink used on the containers, reformulating it and adding carbon, which can catch fire if heated. The restaurant chain said at least two people reported chicken fires. After that, KFC said, company employees tested the cups in a microwave and, after being heated for 13 to19 seconds, they caught fire.

KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said no one was injured in the incidents. Paris Packaging didn’t respond to requests for comment. The company is seeking at least $757,000 to cover the cost of recalled containers.