KFC sues over flammable chicken packaging

I know KFC’s new Fiery Buffalo Chicken is hot, but this is ridiculous! (Thanks to David Bellm of sister book Packaging Digest for the following):

Fast-food chain KFC is suing its suppliers over paperboard packaging that allegedly catches fire when microwaved, according to a recent Associated Press story. The containers (right), used for KFC’s popcorn chicken, are said to burn when reheated in a microwave oven.

The Louisville-based chicken giant says in a federal lawsuit that supplier Paris Packaging used ink that included excessive amounts of carbon, which made the containers more flammable. According to KFC, the supplier changed inks in February, but didn’t warn of the change.

KFC says that at least two customers have reported fires with the packaging. Subsequent tests by company employees are said to have shown that the cups caught fires after just 13 to 19 secs in the microwave.

Financial damages claimed by KFC include the costs of recalling more than 11,000 containers. The suit seeks at $757,000+ to cover the loss.

Again, Class: What’s the lesson to be learned here? Keep your customer (especially one of the largest fast-food chains in the world) informed about ANY significant change to how you make their packaging.

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