Press Room
November 18, 2008
Friendly's Just Got Friendlier as they Use Trans Fat Free Oils- Contacts:
- Maura Tobias
- Director, Public Affairs & Communications
- Friendly's Restaurants
- (413) 731-4238
- Maura.tobias@friendlys.com
Friendly's restaurants announces initiative to take artificial trans fats off the menu
WILBRAHAM, MA (Grassroots Newswire) November 18, 2008 -- Friendly's is making sure their customers' dining experience is even friendlier for their health! The entire chain of family restaurants are taking proactive steps and setting an example for the restaurant industry by officially banning artificial trans fat from their menu.
The move continues the trend first set by Tiburon, Calif., in 2005, which became the first American city to voluntarily cook with trans fat free oils. Friendly's will be using a high mono-unsaturated canola oil product, which can actually help lower blood cholesterol.
"We are very excited to announce this new action and offer an artificial trans fat free menu to our customers," said Maura Tobias, director of public affairs and communications for Friendly's Restaurants. "We believe the local communities where our restaurants are located will support the decision, as it demonstrates our dedication to providing the very best food for our customers."
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, artificial trans fat is produced when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil -- a process called hydrogenation that turns liquid oils into solid fats. Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods containing these fats. Trans fat can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Trans fat raises the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, that increases your risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).
"This initiative is very important to everyone at Friendly's; we want to continue to try to provide our customers with their favorite foods but in a healthier way," said Andre Fuehr, vice president, Research and Development for Friendly's. "We are excited to join others in the restaurant industry who have taken this same step and encourage others to do the same. This small step can have measurable effects on one's health."
Friendly's trans fats ban is part of the company's commitment to healthy living. The Friendly Ice Cream Corporation encourages and supports moderate food and drink consumption as part of a healthy, active and balanced lifestyle. The company is committed to offering a broad range of food and drink choices to its customers and to providing information about the nutritional content of its menu items, according to Tobias.
About Friendly Ice Cream Corporation
Friendly Ice Cream Corporation is a vertically integrated restaurant company serving signature sandwiches, entrees and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment in more than 500 company and franchised restaurants throughout the Northeast. The company also manufactures ice cream, which is distributed through more than 4,000 supermarkets and other retail locations. With a 73-year operating history, Friendly's enjoys strong brand recognition and is currently revitalizing its restaurants and introducing new products to grow its customer base. The Web site is http://www.friendlys.com.
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