NOT LOVIN' IT: KFC's secret recipe exposes controversial ingredient used in seasoning (2024)

A woman posted a picture of a packet of KFC seasoning after discovering it contained MSG

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND: The lip-smacking, finger-licking taste of crispy fried chicken from KFC has hordes of loyal customers across the globe. Many have tried to recreate the recipe involving the 'secret' ingredients; and now, one woman from New Zealand has shared an image of a packet of seasoning that reveals just what herbs and spices are used in the delicious fried chicken. The KFC customer was shocked to find one name in the list of ingredients - the controversial MSG.

The seasoning packet was labeled 'COLONEL SANDERS' RECIPE Kentucky Fried Chicken Seasoning', and the first ingredient listed was monosodium glutamate. The woman was shocked, thinking the flavor enhancer was an illegal ingredient. "It's like salt on crack," she wrote on Facebook, sharing an image of KFC's famously secret recipe.

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NOT LOVIN' IT: KFC's secret recipe exposes controversial ingredient used in seasoning (1)

As per a Daily Mail article, KFC's website confirms it uses MSG. "Some of our food does contain MSG but rest assured, it's only present at levels that are safe for the general population," reads a section, adding, "It's a recognised flavour enhancer that also occurs naturally in foods such as meat, fish, milk, vegetables, fruits and cheese."

Regardless, people have split opinions regarding the same. While one person wrote, "Yuck, no wonder I always feel sick afterwards," there are others who defended the use of MSG. There was a similar debate on Twitter some time ago, with one person writing, "You know, MSG gets a bad rep for literally no reason. I checked out the actual science...then I bought some and I never looked back! It’s so AWESOME. MSG is not bad for you and you should totally use it, errybody!" Another user chimed in, "I know, East Asians use MSG on their dishes daily. They don't have any problem."

You know, MSG gets a bad rep for literally no reason. I checked out the actual science...then I bought some and I never looked back! It’s so AWESOME. MSG is not bad for you and you should totally use it, errybody!

— Betsy Goldberry DIY Pirate Crime Syndicate (@BetsyMoonbat) October 4, 2020

I know, East Asians use MSG on their dishes daily. They don't have any problem.

— Hemachandran Nirmalakanthan 🇱🇰 (@Hemachandran_SL) October 5, 2020

Notably, the uses and effects of monosodium glutamate have often been a subject of controversy. As per Daily Mail's article, extensive studies and research spanning over a period of 40 years have not been able to find conclusive links between MSG and serious illnesses in humans. At the same time, there are people who experience symptoms such as nausea, headaches and palpitations after consuming food that has MSG.

NOT LOVIN' IT: KFC's secret recipe exposes controversial ingredient used in seasoning (2)

Moreover, Food Standards Australia New Zealand deemed it safe after four decades of research on the addictive flavor enhancer, "Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) reviewed the safety of MSG in 2003 concluding 'there is no convincing evidence that MSG is a significant factor in causing systemic reactions resulting in severe illness or mortality," reads a report on their website, adding, "In Australia and New Zealand, no food additive — including MSG — is approved for use in food until its safety has been established by FSANZ. MSG and other glutamates are among a group of food additives that are generally permitted in foods, due to their safety."

NOT LOVIN' IT: KFC's secret recipe exposes controversial ingredient used in seasoning (2024)

FAQs

NOT LOVIN' IT: KFC's secret recipe exposes controversial ingredient used in seasoning? ›

A closer look at the packet shows the main ingredient in the famous seasoning is Monosodium Glutamate - also known as MSG - followed by “Herbs and Spices, Salt and Garlic Powder”. MSG is a controversial food additive that is generally regarded as being safe for consumption.

What is the controversial ingredient in KFC? ›

Monosodium Glutamate, more commonly known as MSG, is a controversial ingredient and is generally considered safe for consumption. However, the customer was outraged at her discovery, taking to social media to express her displeasure, sparking many to question whether the ingredient is good for you or not.

Does KFC really have a secret ingredient? ›

Also, Winston Shelton, a former friend of Sanders, said that the secret recipe contains Tellicherry black pepper. It is well attested that Harland Sanders asked Bill Summers of Marion-Kay Spices in Brownstown, Indiana, US to recreate his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.

Does KFC put chemicals in their chicken? ›

Hot and Spicy Chicken Fresh chicken. Marinated in: Water, Salt, Monosodium glutamate, Spices, Potassium chloride, Tetra potassium pyrophosphate, Sugar, Garlic powder, Citric acid.

Did KFC reveal their recipe? ›

That's what America's Chicago Tribune claims it has done: published the secret recipe, which was reportedly found in an old scrapbook belonging to Sanders' nephew. The nephew in question, Joe Ledington, found the recipe in a book previously owned by Claudia Sanders, the Colonel's second wife.

What is the controversy with KFC? ›

There have been several controversies associated with KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) over the years. One of the most significant controversies occurred in the early 2000s, when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) accused KFC of mistreating chickens at its suppliers' farms.

What is the controversy with the KFC advert? ›

The ad features a bride and her bridesmaid eating a bucket of KFC chicken 15 minutes before the wedding ceremony. A complaint to Advertising Standards Authority (ASAI) said the bucket was a family share portion, and it was unhealthy for two people to eat such a large amount of fried chicken in a 15-minute window.

Do KFC employees know the secret recipe? ›

“It's kept in a vault in Kentucky,” she told UK documentary Secrets of the Fast Food Giants. “Across KFC, only two or three people actually know the exact recipe.” The fast food chain has two different factories to make part of its recipe so no one company would ever know the entire formula.

What is the unhealthiest item in KFC? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy

Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.

Does KFC still use MSG? ›

Fast food

One of the best-known sources of MSG is fast food. Some restaurants add MSG to a number of popular dishes, including fried rice. MSG is also used by franchises like Kentucky Fried Chicken and Chick-fil-A to enhance the flavor of foods.

What is KFC chicken coating made of? ›

Copycat KFC Original Recipe Chicken EXACTLY how the Colonel makes it 🔥 Secret Herb & Spice Mix: - 2.5 cups of flour - 2 teaspoons of Salt - 3 teaspoons of Paprika - 2 teaspoons of Dried Mustard - 2 teaspoons of Garlic Powder - 1.5 teaspoons of Onion Powder - 1 teaspoon of Dried Thyme - 1 teaspoon of Dried Basil - 1 ...

Does KFC use antibiotics in their chicken? ›

The best and most laudable promises are those that are kept. Today, KFC announced that it fulfilled its April 2017 pledge to end the use of medically important antibiotics in its entire U.S. chicken supply.

What is KFC meat made of? ›

Made with 100 percent white meat and hand-breaded with KFC's unique Original Recipe of 11 herbs and spices that made the fried chicken chain famous, the Kentucky Fried Chicken Nuggets can be enjoyed as a full meal, a snack on-the-go, complement to the bucket meal or even as an appetizer on the way home!

What is the KFC secret menu? ›

The secret menu has three items on it - the Zinger Stacker Twister, the BBQ Bacon and Cheese Twister and the Kentucky Snack Box. “KFC secret menu Kentucky snack box is huuuuuge,” she wrote in the post on the popular Facebook group, “and only $5.95.”

What oil does KFC use? ›

KFC said that after a two-year trial of various cooking oils, it settled on low linolenic soybean oil, a zero trans-fat cooking oil, to replace partially hydrogenated soybean oil in its U.S. restaurants.

What is the lawsuit against Kentucky Fried Chicken? ›

Settling a lawsuit, the corporate parents of Kentucky Fried Chicken recently paid $294,000 for a variety of health and safety violations, including improperly installing ovens which billowed smoke inside kitchens while cooking chicken.

What is the most unhealthy thing in KFC? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy

Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.

Does KFC use MSG? ›

Yes, KFC does use MSG (monosodium glutamate) in some of their chicken recipes. MSG is a common flavor enhancer utilized by many restaurants to add an extra savoriness to their foods.

Why did KFC sue KFC? ›

In 1973, Sanders sued Heublein Inc.—the then parent company of Kentucky Fried Chicken—over the alleged misuse of his image in promoting products he had not helped develop. In 1975, Heublein Inc. unsuccessfully sued Sanders for libel after he publicly described their gravy as being "sludge" with a "wall-paper taste".

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