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'Disgusting': Kiwis concerned after change to KFC classic leaves 'plastic' taste

Author
NZ Herald ,
Publish Date
Thu, 20 Oct 2022, 11:31AM
KFC has changed its potato and gravy containers. Photo / Dean Purcell
KFC has changed its potato and gravy containers. Photo / Dean Purcell

'Disgusting': Kiwis concerned after change to KFC classic leaves 'plastic' taste

Author
NZ Herald ,
Publish Date
Thu, 20 Oct 2022, 11:31AM

A number of Kiwis have been left concerned after claiming a change to a popular KFC item has left a “yucky” and “plastic” taste.

Over the past week, KFC fans have been flooding the fast food franchise’s Facebook page asking why the potato and gravy flavour has suddenly changed.

A handful of disgruntled customers from different parts of the country have complained that the potato and gravy taste “soapy” and like “plastic”, with some alleging the “yucky” “plastic” taste only occurred after KFC changed the containers the product comes in.

“Anyone else’s potato and gravy taste soapy tonight? Just bought from Feilding KFC,” one wrote.

Another customer from the South Island agreed, revealing they had complained and hadn’t received a response in over five days.

“What is wrong with your potato and gravy?” a customer asked, saying it had an offputting smell, making him “suspect it is the new containers” they’re using.

“I made the complaint five days ago and have heard nothing. Even tried the product again, and I am convinced it’s the containers.”

KFC customers across the country have complained about the potato and gravy taste since the fast food chain changed containers. Photo / Supplied

KFC customers across the country have complained about the potato and gravy taste since the fast food chain changed containers. Photo / Supplied

A third also complained: “Hi KFC... noticed that the potato and gravy tub had changed” they said, and asked if the container had something to do with the “disgusting” taste.

A fourth said: “the new containers potato and gravy don’t taste any good” writing that there is a “funny aftertaste like plastic.”

The Herald has contacted Restaurant Brands numerous times for comment since Tuesday morning but has yet to receive a response.

A KFC employee confirmed to the Herald the company has recently changed containers.

Customers have claimed KFC's potato and gravy has a "chemical" taste to them after changing the containers they come in. Photo / Supplied

Customers have claimed KFC's potato and gravy has a "chemical" taste to them after changing the containers they come in. Photo / Supplied

Another KFC customer claims the new containers are tainting the flavour of their potato and gravy. Photo / Supplied

Another KFC customer claims the new containers are tainting the flavour of their potato and gravy. Photo / Supplied

A number of KFC customers have complained about a funny taste in the potato and gravy. Photo / Supplied

A number of KFC customers have complained about a funny taste in the potato and gravy. Photo / Supplied

The complaints about KFC's potato and gravy have come from around the country. Photo / Supplied

The complaints about KFC's potato and gravy have come from around the country. Photo / Supplied

Others questioned whether the potato and gravy recipe had changed.

A handful of customers have told the Herald their potato and gravy is a lot runnier.

“The potato and gravy was watered down, would not have been a spoon of potato,” one claimed.

Another told the Herald: “The potato was very runny, I’d say even watered down. The gravy was watery and it tasted completely different.”

The new KFC potato and gravy packaging, October 19, 2022. Photo / Supplied

The new KFC potato and gravy packaging, October 19, 2022. Photo / Supplied

The complaints come from customers around the country, including Auckland, Thames, Feilding, Greymouth and Blenheim.

Customer complaints have been rife for more than a week and some claim they have still not heard back.

KFC customers say their complaints about a "chemical" taste in the potato and gravy has not been addressed. Photo / Supplied

KFC customers say their complaints about a "chemical" taste in the potato and gravy has not been addressed. Photo / Supplied

On Facebook, KFC has responded to a handful of comments claiming to have direct messaged disgruntled customers about their potato and gravy concerns.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has been contacted for comment.

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