KFC UK and Ireland has pledged to remove 20% of calories per serving by 2025 as it revamps its menu with lighter meal options.

By 2020, KFC will introduce more lunch and dinner dishes under 600 calories, in line with Public Health England’s latest campaign, which encourages people to aim for 400 calories for breakfast, 600 for lunch and 600 for dinner.

The fast food chain will also make changes to its range of sides by 2019, looking to increase choice, improve taste, and add more options to help customers consume five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Additionally, as an alternative to its fried chicken, KFC aim to launch a new vegetarian option, which will be tested with customers later this year.

KFC UK and Ireland head of food innovation Victoria Robertson said: “We know people are more passionate than ever about eating well, and we face a big challenge in shifting their perceptions of what we offer. We’ve done it before, though – the success of our Riceboxes has shown that our fans will go for lighter options from us.

“That said, we know any new menu and recipe changes will have to be just as tasty as today – our fans absolutely love our original recipe chicken, and we won’t be changing the Colonel’s secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices. This is about providing choice, and offering delicious, signature KFC taste that just happens to be lighter.”

KFC UK and Ireland general manager Paula MacKenzie added: “I’m incredibly proud to be making this commitment today. Our programme will not only provide our customers with an amazing, tasty range of healthier lunch and dinner dishes, but we’ll also be helping find ways to support them to make the lighter choice.”

“Everyone in the food and drink industry, from fast food to traditional restaurants, is being scrutinised for the nutritional content of their meals. As an industry leader and world famous brand, we know that we bear a responsibility to help move the sector forwards.”