Burger King sets 2008 target for oil switch
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Burger King Corp., the No. 2 hamburger chain, said on Friday that all of its U.S. restaurants would be using frying oil that is free of artery-clogging trans fats by the end of 2008.
The announcement comes nearly two months after nutrition advocacy group the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) sued Burger King over the company's use of oil containing trans fats, saying it was the only leading restaurant chain that had not yet committed to eliminating trans fats from its menu.
At the time, Burger King said it was committed to switching to a healthier oil but that that a timeline for the move would depend on which oil the company decided to use.
On Friday, the Miami-based company said two trans fat-free oil blends have passed its criteria. If adequate supply of the oils becomes available, the U.S. roll-out could be completed sooner than the 2008 target, Burger King added.
Burger King has already made the switch to trans fat free oil in some of its U.S. restaurants.
CSPI had no immediate comment on the Burger King announcement.
Burger King shares were down 22 cents at $26.33 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
