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Food Industry minimally affected by bird flu
(CRI)
Updated: 2005-12-08 13:57 The Bird flu is currently
ravaging several provinces in China. However, in contrast to the SARS outbreak
of 2003, the Bird Flu has so far only had a limited impact on Chinese people's
daily life and, most importantly, has only minimally affected the overall
hospitality industry.
While the global outbreak of the bird flu has removed bird meats from many
dining tables, the food industry in China has taken significant measures to
address the effects of the outbreak and the industry's total revenue for the
first ten months of this year have reached 87.5 billion US dollars, an increase
of 17 percent on the same period last year.
Nevertheless, the restaurants serving mainly bird meats are feeling the
impact of the outbreak.
Li Qian has been working in a company in Beijing. Once a regular customer at
a nearby KFC, she now chooses instead to go to another restaurant which serves
mainly noodles quite a distance away.
"I did not pay much attention at the beginning of the epidemic, but now
people are starting to be infected by the virus. I know that there has not yet
been an outbreak in Beijing of the bird flu. However, I would prefer not eating
bird meat for a while." Li said.
Many people in China currently share Li Qian's concerns and customer numbers
have decreased in restaurants mainly serving bird meats. Boasting over 1,500
outlets in China, US fast food giant KFC has witnessed a sharp fall in takings
for October this year.
Meanwhile, these restaurants have taken considerable action in an attempt to
calm worried diners. KFC assures its customers that all its raw ingredients have
been approved by the relevant government department.
The well-known Beijing Quanjude Restaurant, famous for its roast duck, has
also pledged to ensure the safety of its ingredients.
Liu Jianping, a manager of the restaurant, says that they are taking
appropriate measures to address the situation.
"The restaurant are now offering a range of non-bird meat dishes, such as
roast pork chops, to meet our customers' needs. Other new dishes will also soon
be available in our chain stores." said Liu.
In the bird flu ravaged Anhui Province, where two human deaths have been
reported, many have replaced bird meats with beef and mutton.
While, many restaurants offering bird meats have maintained stable customer
numbers, many of whom are now confident in the ability of the authorities to
control the outbreak.
Furthermore, many restaurants in China not offering bird meats have also
taken preventive action, amending their policies in purchasing and storing
ingredients.
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