KFC China sues firms for spreading eight-legged chicken rumors

BEIJING, June 2 (UPI) -- The Chinese wing of KFC is suing three firms accused of spreading rumors about the fast food giant using six-winged and eight-legged birds to make fried chicken.

KFC released a statement online saying it was filing a lawsuit against Shanxi Weilukuang Technology Co. Ltd., Taiyuan Zero Point Technology Co. and Yingchenanzhi Success and Culture Communication Ltd. on allegations the companies spread false rumors about the fried chicken restaurant chain with posts on social media app WeChat.

The statement said the rumors, which alleged KFC used genetically-modified eight-legged and six-winged chickens to make its food, subsequently spread to at least 4,000 further posts on the app.

The company said the rumors have been around for several years, but the posts from the firms named in the lawsuit brought new attention to the falsehoods.

"This not only seriously misled consumers, but also hurt our brand," said Qu Cuirong, president of KFC China.

The lawsuit is seeking $242,000 and an apology from the companies.