KFC China denies using GM soybeans

Screenshot of the video on haojiao.com shows that GM ingredients were found in KFC's soybean milk.

(ECNS) -- KFC has been accused of selling soybean milk containing genetically modified (GM) ingredients, which the company has denied, the Shanghai-based China Business News said.

The Centre Testing International Corporation tested soybean milk sold by the fast-food restaurants Yonghe King, McDonald's and KFC, as well as by a 7-Eleven convenience store. Genetically modified ingredients were found in KFC's soybean milk, according to the video released Wednesday on a video website huajiao.com.

KFC China on Thursday cited a supplier of its soybean milk powder as saying that its soybeans come from China's northeast area and are not genetically modified.

It also doubted the results and demanded more information about the sample-collecting process and the qualifications of the inspection organization.

Zhu Yi, of the China Agricultural University's College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, said that in China GM products must be labeled in accordance with the law. But GM soybean milk does not pose a risk to people's health, as GM soybeans are recognized as safe internationally, he added.

Experts said China's GM soybeans, mainly imported, are only allowed to be fed to animals or used in extracted oil, which means GM soybeans can't be served at tables.

KFC's soy milk caused a big stir in 2011, when it admitted that its soybean milk was made from liquid concentrate or powder