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KFC Owners Sued over Trans-Fats

A consumer groups filed suit this week against the owner of the KFC fried chicken franchise, over its alleged use of artery-clogging fats. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) accused KFC meals of being ?startingly? high in trans-fats, stating they are fried in partially hydrogenated oils. While many fast food companies might make it easier for customers to avoid trans-fats, CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson says consumers have a more difficult time avoiding trans fat at KFC than at other fast-food chains.

?Trans fat is almost everywhere on this KFC menu. By frying in such a dangerous oil, KFC is effectively making its unsuspecting consumers? arteries Extra Crispy.? The suit by CSPI against KFC was filed in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, and seeks to force the restaurant chain to discontinue cooking with trans-fats or at least warn customers about the danger to their health posed by trans-fats and their inclusion in KFC offerings.

According to the brief, KFC ?does not properly warn, disclose or even tell consumers that they are eating food items prepared with the worst oil available.? Above all else, the Center for Science in the Public Interest wants the court to force KFC to switch to a healthier oil. If that does not happen or is not able to happen, CSPU wants the court to at least mandate that KFC restaurants display signs with warnings such as ?KFC fried chicken and certain other foods contain trans fat, which promotes heart disease.?