KFC takes on Bird Flu

KFC, known once upon a time as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is preparing a series of ads to explain that its chicken does not spread bird flu. The AP reports the company does not plan to air the ads unless fear of the disease begins to threaten its business.

"We'll keep them on the shelf and hope not to use them," Jonathan Blum, spokesman for KFC's parent, Yum Brands Inc., said of the spots expected to be shot soon.

Kentucky Fried Chicken and its parent, both based in Louisville, have spent months planning a quick response in case of bird flu outbreaks in its markets worldwide.

"We're keeping our fingers on the pulse of what happens day in and day out around the world," Blum said. "And we are taking action in terms of preparing for this in the event it becomes an eventuality in any market."

The ad campaign would be ready to air wherever an outbreak occurred.

For all the panic about Avian Influenza, it is probably worth remembering that the illness has killed 64 people since 2003, with about 100 others becoming seriously ill. Despite the relatively low infection rate, news is spreading of investor wariness about companies who trade in poultry products, according to The Motley Fool.

Turning to chicken, we have the avian flu outbreak in Asia. That's not a problem in the U.S. poultry business yet, but who knows what could happen? Although properly cooked chicken will not transmit the disease, that's a rational and logical argument, and people are notoriously irrational when they see gaudy headlines.

Considering the so-called notorious irrationality of consumers when it comes to food safety, one wonders if KFC's ads will even work if they ever have to run.