Double Down or Double Bypass?

KFC’s new Double Down sandwich consists of high-fat bacon and high-fat cheese sandwiched between two pieces of high-fat fried chicken. In April, PCRM dietitians urged KFC not to advertise the Double Down to children and to post a warning about the health risks associated with the high-fat sandwich.

In a letter to David C. Novak, chairman of Yum! Brands Inc., the company that owns KFC, Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., the director of nutrition education for PCRM, calls the sandwich a “symbol of corporate irresponsibility” at a time when America is grappling with record childhood obesity numbers.

“The Double Down has death wish appeal,” Levin says. “The Double Down combo meal has more than half the maximum amount of fat and calories that most adults should consume in an entire day—and approaches the maximum recommended amount of sodium for a whole day. Children shouldn’t be exposed to advertisements for this absurd product.”

The “Original Recipe” version of the Double Down stacks up at 540 calories, 32 grams of fat, and 1,380 milligrams of sodium. The Double Down Combo Meal contains 1,000 calories, 45 grams of fat, and 2,120 milligrams of sodium.