KFC is gambling that its Double Down will be a hit in Canada, as it unveils the "sandwich" (if it can even be called that) with a massive media campaign.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a Canadian fast-food lover who hasn't heard of the Double Down – the culinary concoction that uses two slabs of fried chicken instead of buns to sandwich together bacon, cheese and KFC "secret sauce."

When the greasy, salt-laden debuted in the U.S. in the spring, gobsmacked nutritionists expressed shock, while food porn lovers salivated. The DD became KFC's most successful sandwich in the company's history, with more than 10 million sold in less than a month.

Now, the Double Down is in Canada and according to Dan Howe, the chief marketing officer of KFC Canada parent, Yum! Restaurants Canada, the excitement is practically palpable.

"We have been amazed by Canada's reaction to Double Down," he said in a new release. "There's a lot of excitement and people tell us they are planning Double Down parties with their friends."

KFC Canada has even launched a Facebook fan page to generate further hype. There, they challenge fans to "Take Down the Double Down," and a Wall of Fame, where Double Down fans can claim "bragging rights" to having the intestinal mettle to try a sandwich that promises almost an entire day's worth of sodium, almost half a day's fat in one sandwich, and a whole lot of grease on their fingers.

The Double Down is just the latest entry in the world of food sensations designed to both flabbergast and fascinate at the same time. And at 540 calories, 30 grams of fat and 1,740 milligrams of sodium, it is a tad outrageous.

But, the Double Down is hardly the most outrageous. It doesn't have even as many calories as KFC Canada's own Classic Sandwich, which boasts slightly more than 1,000 calories.

Nor does it have the fat content of the KFC Wrapstar or Boxmaster (32 and 45 total grams of fat respectively). And a poutine from KFC packs a lot more sodium (2,450 mg).

Meanwhile, Wendy's Baconator boasts 610 calories, 35 grams of fat and 1,130 mg of sodium, while Burger King's Triple Whopper with Cheese has bragging rights to 1,250 calories, a mind-numbing 84 grams of fat and 1,600 mg of sodium.

Still, considering that adults should be aiming for daily sodium intake of 1,500 mg, eating one Double Down throws that goal out the window. And since adult men should aim for no more than 90 grams of fat a day, and women 65 grams, the Double Down could get you almost halfway there – all with no fibre and precious few vitamins.

On the upside? It's low in sugar and carbohydrates.

KFC Canada says its Double Down will be available for a limited lime, only until Nov. 14. But if it sells well – after the initial excitement dies down – this unabashed grease fest could be a permanent fixture on the menu.