VFC (the plant-based alternative to KFC!)

Millions of people across England enjoy a bucket of fried chicken from KFC. And it’s also a popular meal to make or buy at home (thankfully most people no longer use deep-fat fryers – the biggest causes of kitchen fires).

All stores that sell electrical goods have to take back old ones by law, even if you don’t buy a new one. So take your old deep-fat fryer there for recycling. And possibly buy a new safer air-fryer.

However, there are huge animal welfare issues (and health ones). Most ‘fried chicken’ is not from birds that have good lives. And there is not enough land in England (a country of 60 million people) to farm free-range chicken for everyone that eats it. So the only solution is to eat less or none.

KFC fries are (like Burger King fries) cooked in the same chicken fat as the chicken, so are not suitable for vegans. Apparently the burger is cooked on separate equipment. 

Like Nando’s, KFC has recently ditched its commitment to better chicken welfare, which would have used slower-growing breeds (to avoid chickens suffering from pain in the legs) citing ‘lack of birds and higher environmental impact?’ Both chains say that slow-growing breeds ‘need more feed, land and water’ (yes, because that’s better welfare). Obviously the real reason is that it costs more, reducing profits.

The History of KFC

KFC is a global fast food chain with over 30,000 locations in 150 countries. It was founded on a ‘secret recipe’ of 11 herbs and spices by Colonel Sanders in 1930, and is the world’s second-largest restaurant chain (after McDonald’s).

He began by selling fried chicken at a roadside motel in Kentucky, after losing various jobs beforehand due to apparently to a bad temper. and insurance salesman, often losing them due to his temper. 

The first franchise opened back in 1952 in Utah, and the first branch in England opened in Preston (Lancashire) in 1965. Today the company is owned by the same brand that owns Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.

KFC is of course known for its chicken drumsticks and sharing buckets, but also sells fries, burgers and has recently starting sell vegan burgers (which are basically Quorn filters in a bun with lettuce, mayo and their 11 spice/herb mix).

If buying ready-made, recycle packaging at kerbside or supermarket bag bins. 

Avoid feeding pets leftover vegan chicken (contains unsafe herbs and onions) nor cooked real chicken (high in fat/salt and may contain cooked bones).

VFC (the obvious alternative, sold in supermarkets)

VFC is sold in all supermarkets (including budget ones like Lidl). It’s a simple mix of plant proteins that is easy to cook in the oven or air-fryer and very affordable.

The brand was co-founded by the co-founder of Veganuary, the world’s most successful plant-based marketing campaign. You can buy nuggets to chicken popcorn, and also burgers. Serve with homemade chips and some salad, and you wouldn’t know the difference.

Other brands of vegan ‘chicken’ nuggets

• Heura is a fresh young brand from Barcelona, offering chunks and nuggets in sustainable packaging.
• Moving Mountains Chicken (burgers and nuggets) is made from natural ingredients, and also sold for food service (hotels, restaurants etc).
• Meatless Farm crispy nuggets
• M & S Plant Kitchen nuggets
• Linda McCartney chicken-style dippers
• OMV (Asda) vegan chicken nuggets
• THIS isn’t chicken wings or thighs

The NHS picks up the cost of KFC

KFC is not health food. Fried chicken has high levels of sodium fat and calories, which can lead to heart disease, diabetes and obesity when consumed frequently (which it frequently is by fans). Most people who eat fast food regularly, tend to live on it. High levels of salt also contribute to high blood pressure and kidney disease.

The buns used are made from refined grains, and large portions (like sharing buckets) go way over recommended daily calorie allowances.

There is also a myth that chicken is low cholesterol. In fact, even with the skin removed, the difference in cholesterol levels from chicken and beef is minimal.

Nobody is berating anyone who enjoys a KFC meal. But en-masse (combined with lack of affordable good food and natural exercise spaces like green parks), this contributes not just to ill health, but to huge expenses for the NHS, at a time when its budget is limited.

Ironically, NHS staff are entitled to discounts at KFC, helping to fuel the very market that is causing them indirectly to be so over-worked.

Litter and packaging issues with KFC

And as with all the main fast food chains, the ‘greenwash’ is about only using paper straws, with a commitment to reducing plastic over time (when vegan fast food chains like London’s Unity Diner have been using only biodegradable and compostable packaging for years). And cashless tills, as bank notes contain plastic and animal fats.

Fast food joints also usually open late at night, which results in litter being strewn everywhere by the next morning (your council tax being used to pick it up). This litter can also harm wildlife and birds, before council workers get to it. No matter who dropped it on public land, it’s your council’s responsibility to clear it. So report it to Fix My Street (complaints with photos are made public).

If litter is on private land, councils can serve litter abatement orders (non-compliance results in a fine or invoice for councils to clean it up).

A hugely worrying trend in town planning

This is really really concerning. A recent trend has developed, and it’s not clear how this is happening. Local councils are finally ‘growing a pair’ in refusing planning permission to new fast food outlets, due to concern over health (especially of children with planning applications near schools), litter and local opposition.

But this worrying trend is now taking flight. It happened recently in the Norfolk town of Sheringham (with an application from Domino’s Pizza). And has now happened again in Ormskirk (Lancashire) with a KFC application, with a planning inspectorate (based in Bristol) overturning the decision.

Basically, the council refused both applications. But then this was overridden by government. The councils don’t want it, the local residents don’t want it – so the national government decide to let them open anyway.

Homemade plant-based ‘chicken nuggets’

Tofu nuggets (Madeleine Olivia) cover Tofoo (organic) with a crunching coating seasoned with mustard, spices, herbs and cheesy-tasting nutritional yeast.

Read up on food safety for people and pets (many foods are unsafe near animal friends). Bin allium scraps (onion, leeks, garlic, shallots, chives) and citrus/tomato/rhubarb scraps, as acids could harm compost creatures. It’s okay to put them in food waste bins (made into biogas).

For tinned ingredients, fully remove lids (put inside) or pop ring-pulls back over holes (and pinch tops closed) before recycling, to avoid wildlife getting trapped.

These seitan fingers (It’s Liv B) are quick and easy to make with vital wheat gluten and simple seasonings, served with a tasty sauce after being pan-fried.

These vegan chicken nuggets (The Post Punk Kitchen) were created by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, one of the world’s best-selling vegan cookbook authors. This recipe is a bit more complicated, but ideal for ambitious chefs or restaurants who wish to serve up something similar to KFC.