KFC bans pork, offers Halal chicken to make soul food menu more 'diverse and inclusive' in Canada

Most Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurants in Ontario have shifted their menus to Halal-certified products, including all chicken dishes from drumsticks in a bucket to tenders and wings. The prominent fast food chain also stopped selling pork in all but two of its Ontario locations in May. It aims to expand the policy throughout Canada by the end of 2024. The type of cuisine KFC serves is American soul food, much of which relies on pork for flavor.

Halal is a means of slaughtering animals that is associated with Muslim cultures where the animal's throat is cut and it dies from loss of blood. KFC claims the changes are a result of the company's commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. The fast food chain announced the new policy in a letter to franchises in May. 

"This initiative is a testament to our commitment to providing diverse and inclusive menu options for all our customers," it says in a  letter, dated May 8 obtained and posted by The Western Standard.  Restaurant workers have received training in how to process and cook Halal food products.

The response of social media has been less than welcoming, with many disgruntled patrons suggesting a boycott of all KFC locations. "KFC in Canada has gone WOKE, converting all their chicken products to HALAL. Next thing you know, their female employees will wear burqas and each meal will come with a free prayer rug," journalist Mark Slapoinsky posted on X.

While urging a boycott, others questioned why people are still choosing to eat KFC products at all. "To the DOZEN Canadians that still eat KFC's antibiotic laced, hormone infused, mRNA vaxxed, bird-flu reservoir, deep fried 'chicken' please join us sane people in #BoycottKFC or get the 'safe & effective' KFC-19 vaccine if you wanna continue to eat that."