You may have heard rumors about the food in your favorite fast food restaurants if you like them. One such rumor that has been circulating for years is that KFC’s gravy contains pork fat.
With so much conflicting information out there, it can be hard to know what to believe. We’ll look at the facts in this article and try to give you a clear answer to the question: does KFC use pork fat?
KFC is one of the biggest chicken fast food chains in the world, and their famous fried chicken is what they do best. But there has been some talk about whether KFC uses pork fat or other ingredients that aren’t chicken in their food. We’ll look at the facts about KFC’s use of pork fat and other ingredients that come from animals in this article.
A Brief History of KFC
Colonel Harland Sanders opened the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in 1930, serving pressure fried chicken seasoned with his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices The chain expanded rapidly through franchising, and was acquired by Heublein Inc. in 1971 KFC continued to grow globally, entering new markets like China, India, and Africa. It’s now one of the most ubiquitous American fast food brands worldwide.
The Colonel’s Original Recipes
Colonel Sanders was famously protective over his secret seasoning blend. While we may never know the exact recipe he’s said to have used basic Southern-style spices and flavorings like salt pepper, garlic, paprika, thyme, oregano, basil, parsley, celery salt, mustard, and more.
Sanders made everything from scratch in his restaurants, including breaded and frying the chicken fresh on-site. For classic Southern sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and biscuits, he likely used traditional recipes based on whole dairy, produce, and pantry ingredients. There’s no evidence Sanders ever used pork fat or non-chicken animal products in his original Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Modern KFC Practices
After the colonel sold his company in 1964, the flavors and preparation changed over time. KFC began altering recipes to reduce costs and speed up production in busy franchises.
Pre-portioned chickens were delivered to stores instead of butchered in-house. Instant mashed potatoes replaced homemade. Coleslaw and biscuits got packaged ingredients. The gravy changed from pan drippings to a reconstituted powdered base.
These shifts impacted taste and quality, which the colonel loudly lamented before his death in 1980. But did they also incorporate any new non-chicken ingredients?
The Question of Pork Fat
Internet forums and social media posts have periodically claimed that pork fat, beef tallow, or other animal fats are used in KFC’s cooking oil, chicken breading, or side dishes.
Let’s look at what the facts say:
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Cooking Oil – KFC fries their chicken in vegetable oil. They do not add any animal fats like lard or tallow to the fryer oil itself.
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Foods like KFC chicken have breading and batter made of wheat flour, spices, and flavorings. There is no proof that the breading recipe used pork fat or any other animal fat.
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Side Dishes – Mashed potatoes are made from a commercial powder, with milk and butter. Gravy starts as a powder base, enriched with chicken pan drippings. These contain dairy ingredients but no pork fat.
KFC also offers beef, fish, and vegetarian menu items cooked separately from the chicken. They take care to avoid cross-contamination of ingredients between different dishes.
The Bottom Line
Based on ingredient lists and preparation practices in stores, there is no sign that KFC uses pork fat or non-chicken animal fats in their core fried chicken recipes or standard side dishes.
Internet rumors of KFC adding pork fat appear completely unfounded. While recipes have evolved over time, the use of chicken and vegetable oil has remained consistent.
KFC’s Use of Chicken Fat and MSG
While pork fat and beef tallow seem definitively absent from KFC food, a few other ingredients have raised questions for some consumers:
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Chicken Fat – The gravy contains chicken fat extracted from fryer drippings, which adds signature flavor but increases the saturated fat content.
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MSG – Monosodium glutamate is added to the gravy and certain seasoning blends for its umami taste. Some people report adverse reactions to MSG.
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Soy – Hydrolyzed soy protein and other soy-derived ingredients are in the gravy thickener. These would need to be avoided by people with soy allergies.
So while pork fat in particular has no place on their shelves, KFC does use some animal fats, artificial flavor enhancers, and allergenic additives in limited menu items.
Making Your Own Judgements on KFC Ingredients
The internet allows misinformation to spread rapidly about restaurant ingredients and preparation. When in doubt, it’s smart to go directly to the source and read KFC’s published allergen and nutrition guides for factual details.
As a customer, you may take issue with KFC’s use of isolated additives, MSG, or artificial flavors even in the absence of pork fat. Or you may have no problem indulging in their signature fried chicken as an occasional treat.
Either way, understanding the truths around these types of claims allows you to make your own informed decisions rather than relying on unverified online hearsay. Keep an open but critical mind, and enjoy your food with confidence.
KFC’s Official Statement On Pork Fat In Their Gravy
KFC hasn’t said anything official about the pork fat they use in their gravy or other food. However, the company has stated that they are committed to transparency and providing accurate information about their ingredients. Customers can call customer service or look at KFC’s website to find out what’s in their food and how much of it they need. KFC also says that they are always working to make their recipes and ingredients better so that they can meet their customers’ changing tastes and needs.
The Origins Of The KFC Pork Fat Rumor
There has been a long-standing rumor that KFC uses pork fat in its menu items. There was a false news story that said the FDA had taken thousands of chickens from KFC farms because they had mutations. This rumor spread. Later, though, this article was shown to be fake news from a website that is known for spreading false and shocking claims.
Even so, the rumor stuck around, and some KFC customers have said they found pork fat in their gravy and other dishes. And KFC hasn’t said for sure that its menu items are made with pork fat, and its gravy’s ingredients list only says “Chicken Fat.”
It’s possible that the rumor started because people were confused about why KFC’s gravy uses beef base when it may actually contain pork as a flavoring. Additionally, some reports suggest that KFC may use pork tasso in certain dishes.
No matter where this rumor came from, it’s important to know that KFC is committed to helping customers with food allergies and staying away from common allergens like peanuts. Some menu items may have pork fat in them, but the company gives full lists of what’s in all of its food so customers can make smart food choices.
What To Do With Pig Fat or Lard On The Homestead
FAQ
Is pork used in KFC?
What kind of grease does KFC use?
Is KFC gravy made with pork?
Does KFC have lard?
Does KFC fried chicken have fat?
Unsurprisingly, KFC’s fried chicken is also full of fat. 160 grams of KFC’s Extra Crispy Chicken Breast contains 23 grams of fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol. At the beginning of January 2022, KFC launched a meal promotion in China with the popular toy maker Pop Mart.
Why is pork not recommended to eat?
This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.
Does KFC use trans fat?
The change at KFC applies only to U.S. restaurants for now, Dedrick said. He said the company was trying to find replacement oils for its overseas restaurants. He added that KFC outlets in some countries already use trans fat-free oils, but he would not say which countries.
Does KFC waste a lot?
As a result, huge amounts of food waste resulted from the promotion. Following this promotion, the company has made strides in regard to food waste. In June 2022, KFC joined forces with FareShare, a food redistribution charity. It is estimated that around 12 million KFC meals are saved from landfill every year thanks to this partnership.