A U.S. meat supplier is disputing a Chinese court's verdict that its local subsidiary sold expired chicken and beef to McDonald's and KFC restaurants in China.

OSI Group of Aurora, Illinois also said Monday that it's considering appealing a Shanghai court's decision to fine its Chinese branch and sentence 10 employees to prison in the case.

The scandal was exposed in 2014 by a Shanghai TV station, which reported that OSI subsidiary Shanghai and Hebei Husi Foods repackaged and sold old meat.

OSI said in a statement that the verdict was "unjust" and "inconsistent" with facts and evidence presented to court.

The company added that it is "forced to consider an appeal through all legal channels" and is also weighing legal action against the TV station.