DOH acts on trans fats....

A step in the right direction...

DOH acts on trans fats in local food products

The Department of Health (DOH) will review the food preparation procedures of all food establishments in the country to determine whether they are using artery-clogging trans fats in their cooking oils. The Department made the statement early this week in reaction to news that U.S. fastfood giant McDonald’s will pay $8.5 million to settle a U.S. lawsuit over the use of cholesterol-rich trans fats in its cooking oil. Health Undersecretary Ethelyn Nieto said DOH will be looking not only at McDonald’s but also at other food establishments to protect the health of the public.

The Philippine Heart Association (PHA), upon learning that McDonald’s will donate $7 million of the $8.5 million settlement to the American Heart Association, said it will review the details of the court decision and hinted that it may seek a similar monetary donation from McDonald’s to pay for the “damage to health their products may have caused.” PHA President, Dr. Norbert Uy raised the possibility that McDonald’s in the Philippines is using trans fats in its cooking oils because health regulations in the country are lenient. Said Uy, “If they have been using trans fats that are high in cholesterol in a First World country where health regulations are strict, then there’s no reason why they wouldn’t use it in a Third World country like ours where regulations are lax.”

From UCAP Newsbriefs

It's about time don't you think? While they're at it, why not enforce better standards of cleanliness and garbage disposal as well? Some fast food restaurants I have seen (well known chains, in fact) not only have abysmal hygienic conditions, and some also just dump their waste in their exterior garbage receptacles without any regard to public safety. Various liquids of unknown nature with disagreeable odors sometimes just seep out of the garbage and work their way down to the pavement, creating not only a nuisance, but a potential health hazard as well.

And can someone make these fast food restaurants offer healthier food alternatives on their menu? Salty and fatty foods may taste great, but sometimes we yearn for something healthy, with less fat and salt. Unfortunately, most fast food chains hardly offer anything healthy. But then again, if you're after healthy food, the last place I suppose you should go to is a fast food joint....

Links:

BAN TRANS FATS

Comments

Anonymous said…
the best pa rin talaga ang luto ni nanay clean & healthy and she's using canola oil (good for d heart) no fat&cholesterol.
March 03, 2005 12:52 PM
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