ANPC informed the Group in regard to the results of controls conducted in several KFC restaurants. The results found bacteria in a limited number of ice dispensing machines and the use of allegedly unauthorized drink dispenser machines and ice producing machines.

Sphera Franchise Group published an announcement on the Bucharest Stock Exchange stating that the National Agency for Consumers’ Protection (ANPC) has informed the company in regard to the results of controls conducted in several KFC restaurants.

The mentioned results address mainly two issues – bacteria found in a limited number of ice dispensing machines and the use of allegedly unauthorized drink dispenser machines and ice producing machines.

The Group notes that they immediately launched an internal investigation to determine the technical or other causes that may have led to those isolated instances. Until the internal investigation concludes, Sphera decided to cease the operation of all ice-dispensing machines and, in general, the use of ice across all KFC restaurants, adhering to our precautionary principle.

The Group further states that they regard consumer safety as its top priority and apply strict procedures including, inter alia, daily and weekly inspections of all ice dispensing machines, routine testing of ice quality and independent quality tests.