KFC pondering over change in recipes

In a move that will significantly reduce trans fatty acids (TFAs) on its menu, KFC is considering in making the switch to non-hydrogenated cooking oil for its sumptuous menu across it’s chain of 5,500 restaurants in the United States.

Kentucky Fried Chicken scheduled a press conference for Monday in New York, following the news over the possible ban of use of trans fat in New York restaurants poured in. Also scheduled for Monday, is the first public hearing of the Board of Health to decide whether to ban restaurants in NYC from serving food with artificial trans fats.

In a unanimous vote passed on September 26, 2006, the New York City Board of Health prohibited the city restaurants from serving food that contained artificial trans fats. However, after a period of written public comments, a public hearing is scheduled for October 30.

The final round of voting is to be held in December. If approved, it will strictly limit use of trans fat in city restaurant’s.

Trans fat, also known as trans fatty acids, is an artery-clogging fat that is formed when vegetable oils are hardened into margarine or shortening. Known to increase blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, while lowering levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), known as "good" cholesterol, trans fat also causes obesity, type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems.

As trans fat reduces manufacturing cost, extends storage life of products and improves flavor and texture, it is widely used over vegetable oil.

According to FDA (Food and Drug Administration) figures, on average 4.7 pounds per person per year of trans fat are consumed in United States. It contribute to 30,000 deaths annually, as estimated by the researchers at Harvard's School of Public Health.

Though major brands like Wendy, Nestle, Frito Lays, and Lipton have already taken steps to eliminate trans fat in some of its products, their competitors, Cadbury, Mcdonalds have already announced their similar intentions.

KFC is also eying at Monday’s press conference as a stage to make a major corporate announcement regarding it’s intentions.

Gregg Dedrick, the company's president stated, “We have been reviewing alternative oil options, but there are a number of factors to consider including maintaining KFC's unique taste and flavor of Colonel Sanders’ Original Recipe."