Burger King announced Friday that it will switch to trans-fat-free cooking in all of its U.S. restaurants by the end of 2008. Burger King is bringing up the rear in the fast food world behind McDonald’s, Wendy’s, KFC, Taco Bell and Starbucks.
Burger King said it may switch sooner in 2008, if suppliers can make enough of the new oil blend.
Burger King is owned by Burger King Holdings Inc. shares fell 33 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $26.22 Friday.
A nutrition advocacy group sued Burger King earlier this year because of trans fats. Looks like lawsuits can bring about good things.
Trans fat is said to raise the chance of heart disease in humans.
Trans fat is made when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil--a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods containing these fats.
The Food and Drug Administration has required the trans fat be listed on nutritional facts labels since 2006.
FDA on trans fat
