Trans Fats

Trans Fats

The San Fransisco Chronicle reports that:

"California is poised to become the first state in the nation to ban restaurants and other food facilities from using trans fats, which are known to increase the risk of heart disease, under a bill approved by the state Legislature Monday and sent to the governor.

The measure, passed with a bare majority, comes two weeks after a similar ban in New York City became fully effective. California doctor and consumer groups support the law, while restaurant groups have offered a lukewarm response. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not taken a position, a spokesman said."

All very well, but since when does the state have the right to dictate what people may or may not eat?

KFC Trans Fat Issue

KFC Trans Fat Issue

It is reported in the US that The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is suing KFC, on the basis that the fried chicken and fries that KFC serves are cooked in oil containing trans fats. These trans fats are deemed to to more unhealthy than other forms of fat.

In the lawsuit, CSPI asked a Kentucky judge to order KFC to use other types of cooking oils and to make sure that the customers know how much trans fats KFC's food contains. CSPI allege that trans fats, vegetable oils that have been altered to be firm at room temperature, increase the risk of heart disease.

KFC have stated that they will fight the lawsuit, and that they are committed to maintaining "KFC's unique taste and flavour."

I would say that like any other food, if you eat too much it is bound to be unhealthy. However, I enjoy the occasional box of chicken and fries and doubt that once in a while it will kill you.

Common sense should be applied.

Trans Fats To Be Banned

Trans Fats To Be Banned

New York City Health Department has asked all city restaurants to voluntarily stop serving food containing trans fats. They argue that the chemically modified ingredient significantly increases the risk of heart disease, and should not be part of any healthy diet.

Scientists and nutrition experts agree that trans fat is America's most dangerous fat, and recommend the use of alternatives like olive and sunflower oils.

A survey by the department's food inspectors found that 30%-60% of the city's 20,000 restaurants use partially hydrogenated oil in food preparation.

Trans fats are mainly used in baked goods, frying oils and breads.

Changes to the ingredients will be expensive, and change the taste of familiar products.

Many of New York's more expensive restaurants already avoid using the fats.

Trans Fats

Trans Fats

There has been much concern expressed recently about the levels of trans fats in foods; these are the fats produced by cooking in oil, and are deemed to increase the risk of heart disease.

Supermarkets have been quick to cash in on, the latest food fad, by offering food free of these fats. However, restaurants are a little slower off the mark.

The main problem being that the oils used, that produce the trans fats, are cheap. A better source of fat, ie healthier, is peversely hard fat such as butter and lard.

Some restaurants are eliminating these trans fats. In the USA, an East Coast chain of 30 restaurants Legal Sea Foods has eliminated trans fats from its menu.

Seemingly, fries present one of the toughest challenges to restaurants. They usually arrive at restaurants blanched, or precooked, in oil with trans fats. So even if a restaurant has switched to a healthier oil, french fries can still have trans fat. But manufacturers are starting to offer trans fat-free fries.

Ultimately it will be the actions of the customers, that will determine whether restaurants eliminate trans fats from their menus.