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KFC Corp
(China) said it cooks its fried chicken in the healthier natural
oil, which does not contain harmful trans fatty
acids. |
Following the US division of worldwide fried chicken empire KFC's
promise to stop using artificial fats, the Chinese division Wednesday
assured diners its chicken is fried in unhydrogenated palm oil .
KFC Corp (China) said it cooks its fried chicken in the healthier
natural oil, which does not contain harmful trans fatty acids as many as found in the
artificial cooking oils KFC uses in the US.
"We are very glad to hear that KFC (United States) has changed to
frying oil without trans fatty acids," KFC (China) said in a statement
yesterday.
"All KFC products meet the national food
safety standard," it said. "KFC also has a special office
for food safety to ensure customers' health."
Aside from promising the company's products met safety standards, the
statement also advised diners adopt a balanced, diverse diet and avoid
overeating.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine has made no comment on KFC's cooking, but has said it
will look into it.
Business in Beijing's KFC restaurants continued as usual yesterday.
"I only eat at KFC occasionally, so I don't worry too much about its
impact on my health," said a woman customer. "I think KFC, as a famous
brand, will take measures to prevent harmful ingredients being used," she
added.
The National Food Quality Supervision and Inspection Centre has drawn
up a national standard for trans fatty acids in food, which has been
submitted to the Standardization Administration of China for approval.
An expert from the centre was quoted by the Beijing News as saying
trans fatty acids have not yet been listed as a daily examination item,
for lack of a national standard.
"Palm oil might also contain traces of trans fatty acids but not to the
extent that can damage health," the expert said.
KFC outlets in New York and Chicago have started cooking their fried
chicken in new oil which has fewer fatty acids than the artificial oil
they previously used in recent weeks, following claims their food
increases the risk of heart disease.
Trans fatty acids, also called trans fats, are produced in the process
of hydrogenation of plant oils.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, eating trans fats
raiseslow-density lipoprotein levels so-called bad cholesterol and increases the risk of
coronary heart disease .
(China Daily) |