I Feel Safer Now

I feel so much safer now. In the States, The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has filed a suit, in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia against Yum Brand Inc. They are doing so because they own KFC. And they say some of KFC meals are “startlingly” high in artery-clogging trans fat. And this is because of the partially hydrogenated oils used for frying their chicken.

The suit seeks to force KFC to stop cooking with trans far or prominently warn customers about the health hazard. CSPI's Executive Director, Michael Jacobson points out that it is harder to avoid trans fat at KFC than at other fast food joints. He says:

Trans fat is almost everywhere on this menu. By frying in such a dangerous oil, KFC is making its unsuspecting consumers' arteries Extra Crispy.

The group, in their legal complaint says KFC

does not properly warn, disclose or even tell consumers that they are eating food items prepared with the worst oil available

According to CSPI, a typical three-piece combo meal with an Extra Crispy chicken drumstick, two Extra Crispy thighs, potato wedges and a biscuit contains around 15 grams of trans fat.

Thing is, health experts suggest we should minimize trans fat consumption as much as possible. Research shows it raises the bad cholesterol (LDL) while lowering the good cholesterol (HDL).

Well duh! You mean KFC isn't healthy? You mean that fried chicken might not be good for you? Where did these yahoos come from? Even worse, who are they to go to court to force KFC to either stop using trans fat or posting up a warning sign?

First of all, experts suggest we minimize trans fat consumption. Key word: suggest. Every week, these experts suggest something new. One week coffee is bad for you, then the next week it is good for you. Research suggests it affects cholesterol. Then again, I bet there is research that refutes this.

Second of all, hello we are dealing with fast food. We are not talking about healthy food. We have known how unhealthy things like Big Macs or Whoppers are, let alone the fries. And some of the fast food joints are starting to change their menu or how they cook their offerings.

A week or so, Wendy's said it would significantly cut trans fat from its menu. They are switching to a new blend of corn and soy oil for the french fries and breaded chickens items. McDonald's vowed in 2002 to remove trans fat from their fries in the States but have yet to do so.

What bugs me about this situation is that the CSPI is going to court about this. I have no problem with the CSPI trying to educate people through PSAs, press conferences, etc. etc. But to go to court is ridiculous. It is a waste of court time. And who died and elected the CSPI as the protector of the general public?

Groups like this really bug me. They take it upon themselves to save people from themselves. But they treat them like children. They don't want to try to educate the average consumer of KFC or other fast food joints. That would take time and energy. And it isn't too flashy. Going to court gets air play. Gets you on the news. And to me is completely arrogant.

The effects of things like fast food is a serious issue. Forcing KFC to change the oil or to place a warning sign only addresses part of the problem. They need to go to the root of the problem, why is it the average American or Canadian eats so much junk food?

Instead of clogging the arteries of the judicial system, they should focus on educating people. Yet that isn't easy. Also, we are running with suggestions here, not solid facts. It is quite possible, next week there will be a study that says something different.

We need watchdogs to keep us alert. But the minute the watchdogs start to take action upon themselves, I get worried. These are rabid people who are zealots and will do things come hell or high water. I don’t want people like that to stand up for me.

And of the people that eat fast food may not be rocket scientists. They may not understand PSAs or news reports that warn them of the suggested dangers of trans fat. And ten to one, they really don’t care. They like their fried chicken the way KFC makes them.

Yum, like McDonalds and Wendy’s are not stupid organizations. Look at the new, healthy items they are putting on their menus. Yum is not some evil entity that purposely uses trans fat to kill Americans. Yet they know that a different style of oil will change the flavour and texture of their fried chicken. Their trademark. This is not something that can be changed over night.

Then they could, as the CSPI is asking, put up signs to warn people about the danger of trans fat. As if that is going to help! Here in Canada, we have had major warning labels on our cigarette packs. It hasn’t stopped people from smoking. I know every time I light up a fag, the dangers I am putting myself in. A warning isn’t going stop me.

I don’t see a large warning sign telling people they are about to embark in an artery clogging experience when they order their Extra Crispy will make them decide to order a healthy salad instead. But we have to be careful because next week the experts might find something dangerous about lettuce or tomatoes.

It seems every second day the news reports tell us of a new danger. We are told of the danger of being in the sun unprotected and now a report has come out that we need some sun to stay healthy so a little time in the sun unprotected is important.

These experts and groups like CSPI aren’t addressing the real issue in front of them: excess. The trans fat in KFC chicken isn’t dangerous when taken in moderation. Same thing for sunlight. Or beer. Or coffee.

Yet we live in a society where people do not eat a healthy diet. Or drink properly. I do my best to have a balanced diet. Last night, I had a simple supper of a good salad and some pasta in a simple tomato sauce. Tonight, I most likely will have some salmon patties with asparagus.

People need to learn how to eat properly and responsibly. Going to court does not address the problem. To address the problem would require money and work. And time. People like their comfort food. And many are just lazy. It is easier to hit McDonalds or KFC for supper than go home and cook something healthy.

Fast food and its ‘dangers’ is a complex issue. Going to court does nothing save waste time and money. The courts are clogged with frivolous and useless cases like this one from CSPI. So important cases that need to be addressed are delayed or ignored. But that is not important.
Groups like CSPI say they do this because the average person does not have a voice in the system. They cannot stop big companies like KFC from using their deadly trans fat concoction. That is crap and pure arrogance. Average people like me have a bigger voice than CSPI in court. It is called money.

If they really wanted to affect change and not grand-stand, all they would have to do is start a boycott of KFC. Then you would see how fast they changed their oil. But that would take work. Can’t have that, can we?