FAST food chain KFC is set to switch from imported palm oil to high oleic Australian-grown canola oil in all its Australian restaurants by the middle of next year in one of the most significant changes to its operation in history.
It promises to be a major boost for Australian growers when introduced to KFC’s Australian chain of more than 600 stores.
The company, which first trialled the use of high oleic canola (monola) oil in October last year across 20 stores – including four in NSW – plans to stop using any palm oil in the KFC system by the middle of next year.
“We don’t make any changes to the crown jewels of our business very lightly,” said KFC chief marketing officer for Australia and New Zealand Nikki Lawson.
“It’s been a deliberate journey for us over the last couple of years where we’ve been looking to improve the nutritional profile of our product, but do it in such a way that it doesn’t detract from the fantastic tasting chicken.”
Mrs Lawson said the company found the high oleic canola oil had the least effect in terms of flavour transfer to the chicken or greasiness.
“This is 76 per cent less saturated fat (compared to palm oil), so the amount of saturated fat we’re going to be taking out of the diets of Australians is absolutely phenomenal – that’s what we’re most excited about.”
Importantly the high oleic oil was also found to have the “robustness of fry life” needed for cooking in pressure fryers.
“You need an oil that’s robust enough to stand up to the cooking processes, and the oil doesn’t break down and become carcinogenic or bad for consumers,” Mrs Lawson said.
She said the switch to high oleic canola oil would start rolling out in a big way from February next year.
“We have a really good relationship with Australian farmers – 100pc of our chicken is sourced locally, all of our fresh produce is sourced locally, our flour is sourced locally and this becomes another ingredient we will be sourcing from Australian farmers,” Mrs Lawson said.
“Everyone is feeling like this is a fantastic journey we’re going on.”
Yum Restaurants, which owns the KFC chain, will source the canola oil from end-refiners MSM Milling, Cargill and Integro, and said it was also working with seed company Nuseed to understand the total supply chain.
MSM Milling director Bob MacSmith said the move was a great opportunity for growers to potentially expand their oilseed area.
“It opens up some good opportunities for monola as a crop, and to expand the oilseed industry,” Mr MacSmith said.
“It’s a big move for KFC – probably one of the biggest changes they’ve made – and it shows the confidence they have in the product and the Australian oilseed industry.”
Cargill Australia spokesman Peter McBride said Cargill worked closely with its customer partners to develop oil solutions that help meet consumer’s needs.
“KFC’s decision to move to high oleic canola oil is meaningful for the Australian farmer as it increases domestic demand for another oilseed type to choose from when making planting decisions,” Mr McBride said.
“Cargill encourages farmers to talk to our AWB regional network of grain marketers to find out more regarding growing Victory high oleic canola.”
See pg 23 of this week's The Land for article, Monola stacks up.
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