News and Document archive source
copyrighted material disclaimer at bottom of page

NewsMinenature-healthhealth — Viewing Item


Mcdonalds trans acids

Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
   http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2002-09-02-mcdonalds-fries_x.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2002-09-02-mcdonalds-fries_x.htm

09/03/2002 - Updated 08:49 AM ET

McDonald's gambles, cuts fat in french fries

By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY

McDonald's, the global symbol of fast — and fatty — food, will announce today plans to cut the artery-clogging processed fat from its french fries by nearly half.

Reducing the trans-fatty acids in fries won't lower calorie counts. Outside experts say the move is risky because the formula could alter the taste of McDonald's famous fries. But if McDonald's succeeds, rivals Burger King and Wendy's would almost certainly be forced to try to follow. That could accelerate the development of healthier fast-food menus that consumers are clamoring for.

Trans-fatty acids — unsaturated fats created in processing vegetable oil for cooking — are now feared to be as much or more a risk for heart disease as saturated fats.

The move also comes three weeks after a 272-pound man sued McDonald's — and three other fast-food chains — alleging they caused his obesity.

But company executives, noting that the trans-fatty acid change has been in the works for years, insist the move is unrelated.

"America's favorite french fries are about to get even better," says Mike Roberts, president of McDonald's USA. "This is a major step toward the elimination of trans fat from our (domestic) cooking oil."

Bottom line: The trans fat in a small bag of McDonald's fries will shrink 47% to 1.8 grams from 3.4. Saturated fat will drop 17% to 1.9 grams from 2.3.

The change will be phased in between October and February at the estimated 13,000 domestic McDonald's restaurants and, eventually, at all its stores worldwide.

"This doesn't turn french fries into a health food," warns Margot Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a critic of fast food. "But McDonald's should be applauded for taking a step forward."

Even Robert Eckel, chairman of the American Heart Association's scientific council on nutrition, is impressed. Although he doesn't eat McDonald's french fries — in part because a small bag has 210 calories — he says, "I'd feel better about eating one small bag once in a while."

The risk for McDonald's is that it's recognized worldwide for the taste and texture of its fries. Many fast-food chains have tried — and failed — to mimic it. Messing with the formula could cause havoc among its french-fry fans. But company executives say that in a recent test, 97 out of 100 consumers noticed no taste difference.

McDonald's won't disclose the process by which it reduced levels of hydrogenation in the cooking oil, says Ann Rusniak, its chief nutritionist.



antibiotics
babies
cancer
cellphones
colawars
diet
drugs
obesity
smoking
toxins
1 in 3 americans have high blood pressure
1 in 3 kids 00 develop diabetes { June 15 2003 }
12 dangerous dietary supplements
Acupuncture helps arthritic knees
Alzheimers cases top 13m by 2050 { August 19 2003 }
Americans searching for pain relief { May 9 2005 }
Americans sicker than brits with more on health care { May 3 2006 }
Americans want universal health care
Antidepressants linked suicides { October 27 2003 }
Antioxidant rich foods preserve vision
Avoid drugs for migraine relief { May 4 2006 }
Beef business creates anti vegan study { February 21 2005 }
Black health worst condition { October 12 2003 }
Bran diet lowers risk of heart disease
Breastfeeding fights arthritis
Breastfeeding fights diabetes in mother
Britain leads the world in anti depressants
Britiain US worst western nations for children
Burger king down
Carpal tunnel from mouse not keyboard { June 17 2003 }
Chlorine in pools damages lungs
Cholesterol drugs not having effect
Cholesterol inhibitors in garlic identified
Chopsticks can be harmful
Dangerous dietary supplements { April 7 2004 }
Dark chocolate aids blood flow { August 29 2004 }
Dark chocolate health benefits { June 1 2004 }
Depression pills { May 7 2002 }
Doctors calls for national health insurance { August 12 2003 }
Doctors rally around universal health care
Drinking can shrink the brain { December 8 2003 }
Excercise generates new stem cells and vessels { September 5 2007 }
Exercise helps elderly mental sharpness
Exercise helps the brain work better
Facts on soy { April 13 2004 }
Faster aging with obesity and smoking { June 15 2005 }
Fats not increase stroke risk { October 3 2003 }
Federal warning on tuna mercury danger { December 11 2003 }
Fiber benefit found { May 2 2003 }
Floride linked low iq { August 25 2003 }
Garlic study may give herb a boost
German doctor cures aids with garlic and olive oil { November 29 2005 }
Girls meat milk dioxin warning
Green tea may prevent hiv { November 10 2003 }
Headphones use causes hearing loss
Heavy lifting protects heart
Heavy social drinkers show brain damage
High blood pressure up { July 9 2003 }
High lead found in boston water { April 28 2004 }
Hormone treated beef is dangerous to human health { October 16 2003 }
Hospital tries to remove mcdonalds from premises
Indians heart attack
Irradiated meat
Lead scare prompts EPA review of rules { July 23 2004 }
Loud music can damage lungs
Mcdonalds closes 175 { November 8 2002 }
Mcdonalds fries contain potential allergens
Mcdonalds lawsuit dismissed { January 22 2003 }
Mcdonalds lied again about its french fries
Mcdonalds meat fries { May 24 2001 }
Mcdonalds trans acids
Medical injuries kill 32000 annually
Milk and redmeat inflamation { September 29 2003 }
More evidence vegetarian diet may stop cancer
Ms vd
Neurologist helps people understand migraine triggers { April 27 2006 }
New study says slouching is better sitting
Nine heart risk factors { August 30 2004 }
Pills no proven to provide benefits from vegetables
Prozac may stunt growing bones
Salmon dye must be labeled { May 2 2003 }
Salmonella [pdf]
Sanitation is greatest medical milestone { January 18 2007 }
Seeds of dementia sown in midlife health diet lifestyle
Soy best for lowering cholesterol
Soy thyroid function
Stress can cause common cold or cancer
Study links drinking brain tissue loss
Supplements work
Survey finds millions new drug abusers
Sushi tuna found to have dangerous mercury levels { January 23 2008 }
Toddlers tv watching linked to attention deficit { April 5 2004 }
Tomato juice may stave off heart troubles { August 22 2004 }
Toxic mercury in environment causing autism { March 17 2005 }
Trans fats worse saturated fats { July 9 2003 }
Uncooked foods healthier { July 17 2000 }
Us health care spending surges again { January 9 2004 }
Vegan sues mcdonalds over french fries again { February 17 2006 }
Vitamins and calcium help pms symptons { June 17 2005 }
Watching TV causes hormone imbalance { June 28 2004 }
Wifi may endanger childrens health { April 22 2007 }

Files Listed: 91



Correction/submissions

CIA FOIA Archive

National Security
Archives
Support one-state solution for Israel and Palestine Tea Party bumper stickers JFK for Dummies, The Assassination made simple