KFC Responds To Consumers: “We Will Be Trans Fat Free!”

Well at least some items will be. Fast-food giant KFC announced Monday it would begin frying its chicken, potato wedges, and other fried foods in oil free of trans fats. Consumption of trans fats is linked to risk of coronary heart disease and obesity.

The company plans to convert fryers in its 5,500 restaurants to a "low-linolenic" soy bean oil that contains no trans fats. The conversion is scheduled for completion by April 2007 and will not apply to items like biscuits, pot pies, and mashed potatoes with gravy.

Sorry chicken-lovers - KFC is still fast food. The new oil does not transform fried food into health food. The new oil is still high in fat and calories. Good for them to answer to the public demand to stop serving trans fat (that is...partially), but can’t the public simply choose a healthier place to eat?