Following the US division of worldwide fried chicken empire KFC's promise to stop using artificial fats, the Chinese division assured diners its chicken is fried in unhydrogenated palm oil.

KFC Corp (China) said it cooks its fried chicken in the healthier natural oil, which does not contain harmful trans fatty acids as many as found in the artificial cooking oils KFC uses in the US.

"We are very glad to hear that KFC (United States) has changed to frying oil without trans fatty acids," KFC (China) said in a statement. "All KFC products meet the national food safety standard," it said. "KFC also has a special office for food safety to ensure customers' health."

Aside from promising the company's products met safety standards, the statement also advised diners adopt a balanced, diverse diet and avoid overeating.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has made no comment on KFC's cooking, but has said it will look into it.

The National Food Quality Supervision and Inspection Centre have drawn up a national standard for trans fatty acids in food, which has been submitted to the Standardization Administration of China for approval.

An expert from the centre was quoted by the Beijing News as saying trans fatty acids have not yet been listed as a daily examination item, for lack of a national standard.  "Palm oil might also contain traces of trans fatty acids but not to the extent that can damage health," the expert said.

Source:佚名