KFC plans 'important' trans fat 'milestone' ??

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KFC plans 'important' trans fat 'milestone'

Updated 10/30/2006 2:01 PM ET

 

 

U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona lauded KFC's oil switch,

adding, " I encourage other companies to follow their lead. "

 

 

Sources: Reuters; CSPI (www.cspinet.org)

 

By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY

 

 

KFC's fried chicken is about to become finger-lickin' trans-fat-less.

The chicken kingpin, often mocked as a poster child of fast food's

nutritional negatives, on Monday will unveil plans to switch to a

new soybean oil from a partially hydrogenated oil by April and

eliminate the artery-clogging trans fats in its fried chicken sold

in the USA.

 

ON DEADLINE BLOG: What do you think?

 

The change in a major chain's signature product makes this one of

fast food's most important concessions to the growing consumer

demand for better-for-you eating. The chain, with 5,500 units in the

USA, plans ultimately to make the same changes in its 8,600

locations outside the USA.

 

" This is an important milestone, " says Gregg Dedrick, KFC's (YUM)

president. " It has been a major focus for us. "

 

Monday's news comes the same day the New York City Board of Health

is to host a public hearing to consider a citywide ban on the sale

of restaurant food made with trans fats. It also comes four months

after the Center for Science in the Public Interest sued KFC,

accusing it of failing to tell consumers about its trans fats.

 

Executive Director Michael Jacobson says his group is withdrawing

its lawsuit. But he called the move " an important step in the right

direction. It will give KFC a competitive edge. " Next, he says, KFC

needs to reduce its " enormous " sodium levels.

 

U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said, in a statement, " KFC is

making significant changes to help Americans make healthier choices.

I encourage other companies to follow their lead. "

 

In recent months, as the trans fat issue has heated up, some big

names have responded. Wendy's removed trans fat from its french

fries earlier this year. Two weeks ago, Walt Disney said it will

eliminate trans fats from food sold at its parks. Food giants

including Kraft, ConAgra and Frito-Lay also have cut way back on

trans fat use.

 

The big question remains: When will McDonald's change its oil?

 

" McDonald's is committed to significantly reducing (trans fat) in

our cooking oil, " says Catherine Adams, vice president of

nutrition. " We have been researching and testing alternatives and

are encouraged. "

 

At KFC, there was no question the move had to be made: One in 25

customers said they were coming less often because of trans fat

concerns. But two key issues kept the company from switching oils

sooner: taste and supply, Dedrick says

 

KFC tested the oil in restaurants in several cities — including New

York, Chicago and Louisville. Most consumers detected no change.

Monsanto, maker of the special " low linolenic " soybean oil, assured

KFC of adequate supply.

 

KFC isn't rid of all trans fats. It's still got them in biscuits and

desserts, and its pot pie has 14 grams. KFC is working to nix those

trans fats by April, too, Dedrick says.

 

What would the Colonel think?

 

" He'd be excited that we preserved the great taste, " Dedrick

says. " He might even be shocked. "

 

Moderators Note:

Switching to soybean oil (a gmo oil excessively high in omega-6)

in fact does not decrease our risk of heart disease not to mention

the widespread ignorance of the fact that frying creates carcinogens

which in turn create free radicals that when oxidized tend to create

artery clogging leading to a state of thrombosis.

This of course depends as well on the health of your arteries in

addition to how many omega-3s you take in on a daily basis. We need

to minimize our health risks and this includes taking a closer look

at the number and types of fats we consume.