Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

With New York City’s ban on trans-fats come July 1st of this year, McDonald’s has been at work trying to come up with an oil replacement for their French fries without losing their distinct taste. Back in September of 2002 they pledged to go trans-fat-free, only to voice concern a few months later that their fries would lose the flavor that has become part of the McDonald’s brand for so long.

Five years later, they believe they have found the right formula and say that 1,200 out of their 13,700 US locations are currently using the new oil. McDonald’s, just like Starbucks, wants to go nationwide with this change rather than just relegating it to New York City locations. Not only is that good for them money-wise and marketing-wise, but also puts them a step ahead for any trans-fat bans in other cities in the future.

While McDonald’s trails behind other fast food chains like Taco Bell and Wendy’s, it is certainly not dead last in making the change. Burger King has yet to comment on whether or not they have come up with a trans-fat solution for their fries, as well. Taco Bell has also taken the initiative of going a step further by creating 15 of their current products “Fresco Style.” Fresco Style is basically items that have cheese and sauce replaced with fiesta salsa for a low fat alternative. One example is their Baja Beef Gordita, which normally are 350 calories and 19 grams of fat. When you order it Fresco Style, it is only 250 calories and 9 grams of fat.

It’ll be interesting to see how New York City’s ban on trans-fats changes the way the entire country eats fast food. With fast food being a major way of life in American Society, reducing trans-fats and fat overall, can only benefit all of us in the end.