KFC launches inquiry after BBC probe finds faecal bacteria in ice

High levels of faecal coliform bacteria were found on the ice

KFC said it was 'extremely disappointed' by findings (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

KFC have launched an 'immediate' inquiry after ice from the fast food chain was found to have bacteria from faeces on it.

The discovery was made at a KFC branch in Martineau Place, Birmingham by researchers from BBC One’s Rip Off Britain.

Dr Margarita Gomez Escalada, who examined the results at Leeds Beckett University, told the programme: "We found high levels of bacteria in the ice.

"The presence of faecal coliform suggests that there's faecal contamination either on the water that made the ice, or the ice itself, and so it increases the risk of getting sick from consuming this ice."

The researchers' findings were part of an investigation into food hygiene standards at several big name food outlets.

Most of the samples only found small and innocuous levels of bacteria, researchers said.

In a statement KFC said it was “extremely disappointed” by findings and it had “immediately launched an investigation”.

KFC added they are undertaking "a retraining programme with all team members on our standards for touch point cleaning and procedures".

The fast food chain said it takes "food safety and hygiene extremely seriously".

Additional reporting by Press Association