KFC. Photo: IC

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), one of the biggest fast-food chains in the world, announced Monday that it is suspending its famous commercial slogan globally - "It's Finger Lickin' Good," amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as the 64-year-old slogan "doesn't feel quite right" given the ongoing situation. 

"We find ourselves in a unique situation - having an iconic slogan that doesn't quite fit in the current environment," according to KFC's global chief marketing officer, Catherine Tan-Gillespie. 

The announcement said the use of the slogan would be suspended in advertising around the globe from Monday. 

A KFC spokesman confirmed to the media that the slogan has been pulled in the UK and Ireland, and is not currently in use in the US.

With more and more people coming to realize the importance of personal hygiene in preventing the spread of the pandemic, it also occurred to the chicken-centric fast-food chain that licking fingers might be improper behavior given the current situation. The company said it wanted to wait "until the time is right." 

But Tan-Gillespie also had some reassuring words for KFC lovers: "The food craved by so many people around the world isn't changing one bit."