French fry giant sheds trans fats

Source: Food and Drink Digital

Date :5/31/2007 12:35:44 PM

McCain Foods joins growing trend of rejecting trans fatty acids in food processing

By David Weldon

Two years ago, few outside of the food processing or nutritional counseling sectors had probably heard of trans fats (trans fatty acids).

Today, trans fats seem to be household words, as consumers find themselves barraged with warnings about the long-term ills that can befall those that eat too much of them. Following the recent ban of trans fats in New York City restaurants, which are especially common in fried foods, a growing number of communities are pondering similar actions.

Now, the world’s largest maker of French fries is joining the campaign, and will no longer include trans fats in its products.

McCain Foods, headquartered in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Canada, recently took out a full page newspaper ad to announce the change. The ad noted that “Zero grams trans fat is good for consumers and for business.” The company produces approximately one-third of all French fry products in the world, and sells to markets in 110 countries.

McCain Foods is a $5 billion company, with approximately 20,000 employees worldwide. The company processes a million pounds of French fries, and other potato and food products, every hour. In addition to its own brands, McCain also owns the Ore-Ida foodservice business (but not the retail brand, which is still owned by H.J. Heinz). In addition to potato products, it also produces frozen vegetables, juices, pizza entrees and desserts.