WINN-DIXIE, INGLES GO TRANS FAT-FREE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores here announced last week that it has eliminated trans fats from the freshly prepared fried chicken and catfish served by deli departments in the chain's 522 stores. “We know our customers want healthier options without sacrificing taste,” Judy Holland, director of consumer affairs at Winn-Dixie, said in a release. “We conducted extensive research to ensure we could deliver an excellent and very similar product to our customers while removing the unhealthy trans fats. We think this will provide the best of both worlds for our shoppers.” The company said that it eliminated trans fats — which many doctors now believe are significantly worse for the heart and circulatory system than saturated fats, animal fats or cholesterol — by switching to a blend of corn and sunflower oils for its fried foods. Similarly, Asheville, N.C.-based Ingles Markets days earlier announced that its deli departments are now using a zero trans fat canola oil for all fried foods and other foods prepared in the deli departments. The chain, which operates almost 200 stores, has also said that it is working to develop a trans fat-free doughnut shortening for its bakery departments.
