Questions answered

There are 14 questions about “Trans fats” in the “What are you doing about...” topic.

Click on a question to read our answer.

1. In America they are converting frying oils in restaurants to Trans-fat free versions. Is McDonalds in the UK going to do that too? It's much healthier.
McDonald’s UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. The trans fatty acid content of the new cooking oil is less than two per cent, which means the levels found in popular foods such as French fries, Chicken McNuggets and apple pies will be significantly reduced. Work is now under way to remove hydrogenated oil, where present, from own-brand products by the end of the year. (May 2007) FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu

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2. You say that Mc,Donald's is trying to reduce both trans fats and saturated fats. Is it not more important to concentrate on trans fats as it is well known that small amounts can be harmful.
McDonald’s UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. (May 2007) FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu

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3. I know fromfriend in Denmark that the amount of trans fatty acids in the oil they use at McD have been reduced to about 1% How come there're still 9% in the UK?
Good news! McDonald’s UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald's restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. The quality and safety of the company`s products is McDonald’s highest priority. Reducing trans fats fits within their strategy in Europe to continuously improve the quality of their products and offer balanced choices to McDonald's customers. The company have reduced the level of trans fats in their cooking oils from 30 percent to ten percent since the nineties, a significant reduction of TFAs. McDonald's worked with their suppliers to explore ways of making further reductions possible which resulted in the new oil. The new oil will contain no more than two percent of trans fatty acids while bringing the saturated fats to a maximum of 12 percent, due to a shift from traditional rape/sun oil blends to a blend of high oleic rapeseed oil or high oleic sunflower oil. (May 2007) FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu

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4. If you are a health conscience origination then why are you still using partially hydrogenated oil/fat containing Trans fat’s which many countries in the EU have banned due to being linked to the cause of cancer – search for ‘dangers of hydrogenated fat’ online and see for your self
McDonald’s switched to using partially hydrogenated rapeseed oil in order to reduce saturated fats. The company subsequently discovered that there were issues around trans fats, and has been reducing these steadily over the last five years by using an oleic oil. Trans fats in McDonald’s oil are currently below ten percent and the company is working towards reducing these further. JULY '07 UPDATE: McDonald's UK now uses a new non-hydrogenated, GM free cooking oil. This reduces the levels of Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) to their lowest possible levels - less than two percent (naturally occurring TFAs make it impossible to reach zero percent). The oil (a blend of sunflower and rapeseed) has been carefully developed to ensure it does not raise saturated fat content, or change the taste. FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu

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5. I am extremely angry that you STILL cook your food in hydrogenated oil (partially hydrogenated or otherwise), when it is now widely known to be very detrimental to health.As a nurse with a special interest in nutrition,I wrote to you a few YEARS ago, voicing my concerns about this, but did not get a satisfactory reply. I think it is beyond belief, that you use an oil which increases risk of obesity & heart disease, and has been linked to certain cancers!! (as printed on front page of Daily Express on 3rd Aug 06)The most appalling aspect of this is the fact that a vast amount of your customers are kids! WHY have you not done anything about this important issue?
Here's some good news. McDonald's UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald's restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald's to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. The quality and safety of their products is McDonald's highest priority. Reducing trans fats fits within their strategy in Europe to continuously improve the quality of McDonald's products and offer balanced choices to customers. The company reduced the level of trans fats in their cooking oils from 30 percent to ten percent since the nineties, a significant reduction of TFAs. McDonald's worked with their suppliers to explore ways of making further reductions possible which resulted in the new oil. The new oil will contain no more than two percent of trans fatty acids while bringing the saturated fats to a maximum of 12 percent, due to a shift from traditional rape/sun oil blends to a blend of high oleic rapeseed oil or high oleic sunflower oil. Work is now under way to remove hydrogenated oil, where present, from own-brand products by the end of the year. (May 2007) FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu

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6. As per my earlier e-mail which has not yet been answered, do you use trans fats such as Hydrogenated oils in your products? Also, what is your policy on trans fats taking into consideration the health risks?
For a long period now McDonald's has been working hard to reducing the trans fatty acid levels in its products and finding an alternative cooking oils was a priority for the company.This hard work has paid off as McDonald's UK is now using new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The trans fatty acid content of the new cooking oil is less than two per cent, which means the levels found in popular foods such as French fries, Chicken McNuggets and apple pies will be significantly reduced. The quality and safety of the products is McDonald's highest priority. Reducing trans fats fits within the company's strategy in Europe to continuously improve the quality of its products and offer balanced choices to all customers. McDonald's reduced the level of trans fats in its cooking oils from 30 percent to ten percent since the nineties, a significant reduction of TFAs. McDonald's continually works with its suppliers to explore ways of making further reductions. JULY '07 UPDATE: McDonald's UK now uses a new non-hydrogenated, GM free cooking oil. This reduces the levels of Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) to their lowest possible levels - less than two percent (naturally occurring TFAs make it impossible to reach zero percent).The oil (a blend of sunflower and rapeseed) has been carefully developed to ensure it does not raise saturated fat content, or change the taste. McDonald’s Fries are just like the other menu choices: made with care and attention plus quality ingredients ensures that food tastes as good as possible. The French Fries are made from three different types of potato: Russett Burbank, Shepody and Pentland Dell. These potatoes are not just grown for their flavour, but also their uniquely long shape. They’re cooked in partially hydrogenated 100 percent rapeseed oil and then lightly salted after cooking. At the beginning of the potato season the fries may be given a light coating with dextrose to help them brown properly. This is only to compensate for the low natural sugar level in young potatoes. FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu.

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7. Hydrogented fat, albeit partially, is still used tofry your fries. Where else do you use such 'trans fats' and given their negative health effects, why have you not yet swapped to non hydrogenated vegetable oils?
The company has some good news. McDonald's UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald's restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. The trans fatty acid content of the new cooking oil is less than two per cent, which means the levels found in popular foods such as French Fries, Chicken McNuggets and apple pies will be significantly reduced. Work is now under way to remove hydrogenated oil, where present, from own-brand products by the end of the year. (May 2007) DECEMBER '07 UPDATE: McDonald's French Fries are now fully accredited by the Vegetarian Society. McDonald’s Fries are just like the other menu choices: made with care and attention plus quality ingredients ensures that food tastes as good as possible. The French Fries are made from three different types of potato: Russett Burbank, Shepody and Pentland Dell. These potatoes are not just grown for their flavour, but also their uniquely long shape. They’re cooked in partially hydrogenated 100 percent rapeseed oil and then lightly salted after cooking. At the beginning of the potato season the fries may be given a light coating with dextrose to help them brown properly. This is only to compensate for the low natural sugar level in young potatoes. FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu.

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8. Is "yes" the real answer to the question do you still use trans fat to cook your fries?
You will be happy to know that McDonald’s UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. The trans fatty acid content of the new cooking oil is less than two per cent, which means the levels found in popular foods such as French fries, Chicken McNuggets and apple pies will be significantly reduced. Work is now under way to remove hydrogenated oil, where present, from own-brand products by the end of the year. The reduction of trans fats is part of McDonald`s strategy to continuously improve the quality of their products and offer balanced choices to their customers.The company have been working for several years with their suppliers to improve the nutritional values of their cooking oil. DECEMBER '07 UPDATE: McDonald's French Fries are now fully accredited by the Vegetarian Society. (December 2007) McDonald’s Fries are just like the other menu choices: made with care and attention plus quality ingredients ensures that food tastes as good as possible. The French Fries are made from three different types of potato: Russett Burbank, Shepody and Pentland Dell. These potatoes are not just grown for their flavour, but also their uniquely long shape. They’re cooked in partially hydrogenated 100 percent rapeseed oil and then lightly salted after cooking. At the beginning of the potato season the fries may be given a light coating with dextrose to help them brown properly. This is only to compensate for the low natural sugar level in young potatoes. FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu.

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9. Do you use Trans fats in your food? Certain fast food chains have been exposed as using this type of fat, despite its helath risks
No. You will be pleased to know that McDonald’s UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. (May 2007) FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu.

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10. Why don't you list the transfat content on the nutrition table for your products? Simply listing total fat and saturated fat isn't enough. Kind Regards, Simon
McDonald’s currently complies with European legislation on nutritional labelling, and labels fat and saturated fat as the majority of retailers do. This is purely voluntary. For your information McDonald’s UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. (June 2007) FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu.

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11. in the US they still use transfats for cooking, is that so in the UK? transfat are like motor oil.
McDonald’s UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. (May 2007) FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu.

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12. What are you doing about trans fats in your cooking oil?
You will be happy to know that McDonald’s UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. (May 2007) FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu.

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13. I've heard that trans fats are are almost absent from some of your restaurants in Europe (Holland?) Why can't you do that in the UK? - Urgently!
McDonald's UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald's restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald's to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. (May 2007) FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu.

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14. do you still use trans fats to cook your fries?
Good news from McDonald's.McDonald's UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald's restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald's to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. The quality and safety of the products is McDonald's highest priority. Reducing trans fats fits within their strategy in Europe to continuously improve the quality of their products and offer balanced choices to McDonald's customers. The company reduced the level of trans fats in their cooking oils from 30 percent to ten percent since the nineties, a significant reduction of TFAs. McDonald's worked with their suppliers to explore ways of making further reductions possible which resulted in the new oil. The new oil will contain no more than two percent of trans fatty acids while bringing the saturated fats to a maximum of 12 percent, due to a shift from traditional rape/sun oil blends to a blend of high oleic rapeseed oil or high oleic sunflower oil. Work is now under way to remove hydrogenated oil, where present, from own-brand products by the end of the year. (May 2007) DECEMBER '07 UPDATE: McDonald's French Fries are now fully accredited by the Vegetarian Society. FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu.

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