Kentucky Fried Chicken Settles Lawsuit Over Safety Violations - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

Santa Clara, Calif.--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.

A lawsuit filed by District Attorneys of Los Angeles, Napa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, alleged that Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation and Harman Management Corporation failed to follow proper procedures for installing new cooking equipment. Investigators also found plumbing and electrical issues at some franchises.

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said, "The Retail Food Code is in place to protect not only the health and safety of consumers, but also of the employees of food facilities. KFC workers deserve to work in a healthy environment."

In 2009, the company and its franchisees rolled out its "grilled chicken" line, with some facilities in northern California experiencing unsafe smoke ventilation issues with their new Blodgett ovens. The District Attorneys alleged that KFC Corporation and Harman Management Corporation violated provisions of the California Retail Food Code when they did not properly advise or supervise their franchisees in complying with the requirements for submitting plans and obtaining prior approval from local environmental health authorities. Local franchises in Santa Clara County quickly fixed the problems. KFC and Harman Management Corporation cooperated with prosecutors during the investigation.

KFC and Harman agreed to pay $200,000 in civil penalties and $94,000 in costs to settle the lawsuit. The companies have also agreed to an injunction that prohibits them from violating California Health & Safety Code sections in the future, and will provide specific notice to their franchisees of California's environmental health requirements.