McDonald's steps up meat supplies to match demand

People walk past a McDonald's fast-food restaurant in Beijing. Provided to China Daily

US-based fast food giant McDonald's Holdings Co has increased sourcing from food suppliers in China to satisfy the demand for meat by its 2,000 restaurants in the country.

McDonald's China has increased its sourcing from Fujian Sunner Development Co Ltd and McKey Food Services Ltd, a unit of US-based Keystone Foods. Both of the companies have been suppliers to McDonald's, Regina Hui, director of communications for McDonald's China, told China Daily.

But whether the company will seek more domestic suppliers will depend on whether quality and standards match those required by McDonald's, said Hui.

As a result of sourcing from Shanghai Husi Food Co Ltd being halted, many restaurants of fast food giants in China were hit by a meat shortage.

McDonald's announced on Monday that it had stopped purchases from all Husi food factories in China. McDonald's outlets in many cities were short of meat products and were left with only beverages and snacks.

On Friday, to restore consumer confidence, US-based Yum Brands Inc offered rewards for Chinese informants who discover food safety risks, as well as strengthening the monitoring of its suppliers.

Yum apologized to Chinese consumers for concerns caused by its KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants, following the recent improper handling of meat of its supplier Husi, in a letter to the public in China on Friday.

The chain terminated its relationship with Husi's parent company OSI in China and globally. But they didn't update on the replacement of the suppliers.

The company said it has fully cooperated with the Chinese government's investigation and followed guidance and instructions given by the authorities.

Fully reviewing the monitoring and management of its suppliers, the Chinese team of Yum has rolled out plans to discover and prevent illegal and improper practices from being hidden from them.

The company will require suppliers to set up monitors in production and manufacturing. Its quality management employees will take measures to observe and review their suppliers.

Reporting from the public on illegal actions and violation of regulations to the food safety will be welcomed and rewarded, according to its statement.