KFC, a fast-food operator, faced immense resistance from some consumer groups when it

opened its operations in India. One group proclaimed that opening KFC outlets in the country

would propagate a junk-food culture. Others proclaimed that this was the return of

imperialistic powers and was an attempt to westernize the eating habits of Indians.

Overzealous local authorities in the city of Bangalore used a city law restricting the use of

MSG (a food additive used in the chicken served by KFC) over a certain amount as a pretext

for temporarily closing down the outlet, despite the fact that the authorities did not even

have the equipment to measure the MSG content in the proportions stated in the law.

While these issues were resolved through hectic consultations with these consumer groups

and through legal orders issued to protect the interests of the outlets, they reflect how

political and social concerns of even a small segment of the population can adversely affect

the operations of companies in foreign markets.