2008 Woodie Awards
Aramark follows trans fat trend
Lauryn Weber '09
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
With the recent decisions of chain food restaurants such as Wendy's and KFC to eliminate trans fat from their menus, as well as the recent suggestions of banning trans fat in restaurants of major cities like Philadelphia and Chicago, Saint Joseph's University has joined the cause. St. Joe's and Aramark have announced that they will reduce trans fat in campus food with a new zero grams trans fat fryer oil by Feb. 1.
Aramark has taken the step to eliminate trans fat after conducting research that revealed that consumers have become more concerned with their trans fat intake. Aramark has been in the process of eliminating trans fat for quite some time, but one major concern was whether the supplier could keep up with the orders of new fryer oil, which is about 100 gallons a week for St. Joe's alone. Hydrolized oil, which contains trans fat, is often used as fryer oil because it has increased stability and shelf-life, but Aramark has identified an effective new non-hydrogenated corn oils and sunflower oils, which they claim will not change the taste of St. Joe's food.
Brittney O'Hara, '09, said, "I'm a chicken wrap connoisseur, and I could taste no difference this past week. I still thought my wrap was full of deliciousness."
Tom Rizzo, director of dining services, was also pleased with the change, and said, "These oils are a little more expensive, but it's worth it for the healthiness of everyone."
Some fats, such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, are beneficial for the body in limited amounts and actually promote heart health. Health professionals have found that trans fat, which is similar to saturated fat, may increase blood cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.
By the end of March, all of Aramark's higher education accounts, about 500 colleges and universities, will have eliminated trans fat from their fryer oil, but St. Joe's has made the switch merely a week after returning from winter break. After Aramark made the decision to change fryer oil, Rizzo ordered the new oil and decided, "Let's just do it now."
The only food items that may still contain trans fat are items that have been purchased and not made on location. This includes some Danish, doughnuts, and pastries, as well as certain packaged items. However, following January 2006 FDA regulation, all packaged items do have trans fat information listed on nutrition labels, allowing consumers to be aware of their trans fat intake nevertheless.
Furthermore, many companies that produce the packaged goods that St. Joe's purchases, such as Tastykake, have also made the decision to eliminate trans fat, and it is probable that more will do so in the near future.
Allie Horne, '09, said, "I am happy to see that St. Joe's and Aramark are conscientious about these new health developments and that they are now offering healthier options for the students."
Aramark has taken the step to eliminate trans fat after conducting research that revealed that consumers have become more concerned with their trans fat intake. Aramark has been in the process of eliminating trans fat for quite some time, but one major concern was whether the supplier could keep up with the orders of new fryer oil, which is about 100 gallons a week for St. Joe's alone. Hydrolized oil, which contains trans fat, is often used as fryer oil because it has increased stability and shelf-life, but Aramark has identified an effective new non-hydrogenated corn oils and sunflower oils, which they claim will not change the taste of St. Joe's food.
Brittney O'Hara, '09, said, "I'm a chicken wrap connoisseur, and I could taste no difference this past week. I still thought my wrap was full of deliciousness."
Tom Rizzo, director of dining services, was also pleased with the change, and said, "These oils are a little more expensive, but it's worth it for the healthiness of everyone."
Some fats, such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, are beneficial for the body in limited amounts and actually promote heart health. Health professionals have found that trans fat, which is similar to saturated fat, may increase blood cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.
By the end of March, all of Aramark's higher education accounts, about 500 colleges and universities, will have eliminated trans fat from their fryer oil, but St. Joe's has made the switch merely a week after returning from winter break. After Aramark made the decision to change fryer oil, Rizzo ordered the new oil and decided, "Let's just do it now."
The only food items that may still contain trans fat are items that have been purchased and not made on location. This includes some Danish, doughnuts, and pastries, as well as certain packaged items. However, following January 2006 FDA regulation, all packaged items do have trans fat information listed on nutrition labels, allowing consumers to be aware of their trans fat intake nevertheless.
Furthermore, many companies that produce the packaged goods that St. Joe's purchases, such as Tastykake, have also made the decision to eliminate trans fat, and it is probable that more will do so in the near future.
Allie Horne, '09, said, "I am happy to see that St. Joe's and Aramark are conscientious about these new health developments and that they are now offering healthier options for the students."
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