'One Whole Chicken' Labeling May End: Government Plans Mandatory Weight Disclosure for Fried Chicken
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
The South Korean government will announce next week plans to require weight labeling for fried chicken, moving away from vague labels like "one whole chicken" toward grams or size-class (chicken number) indications. The move responds to consumer backlash over "shrinkflation" after a major chain reduced portion weight and changed cuts. Authorities argue chicken is a single-ingredient product suitable for clearer standards, but franchise operators warn of major practical problems: large weight loss during frying (20–30%) varies by equipment and cooking conditions, pre-cook weight ranges within the same size-class (e.g., 10호 chicken) overlap, and daily weighing at busy stores would create operational burdens and more customer complaints. Industry also raises fairness concerns because pizza and burgers are excluded from the rule. The government says processed foods already face weight-label rules and may extend measures to instant-cooked items, but stakeholders call for more realistic solutions that consider on-site variability.
