BK to End Use of Trans-Fat Oil

Jul 09, 06:45 AM

Current Headlines: MIAMI -- Following in the footsteps of fast-food competitors including McDonald's Corp., Wendy's International Inc. and Yum Brands Inc., Burger King Corp. said Friday it will use trans-fat- free cooking oil at all its U.S. restaurants by the end of next year. The world's second largest hamburger chain said it already was using zero trans-fat oil in hundreds of its more than 7,100 U.S. restaurants.

Burger King is known for its flame-broiled burgers, but it uses cooking oil for its french fries and most of its chicken products. In tests, the company said consumers determined that more than a dozen items cooked in the new oil, such as french fries and hash browns, tasted the same or better than products cooked in the trans- fat oil.

Burger King said two trans-fat-free oil blends passed tests. If adequate supply becomes available, the U.S. rollout of the oils could be completed sooner than 2008.

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