Background
ARAMARK believes consumers should
make sound decisions about the foods included in a healthy eating plan.
We are committed to seeking out and providing a wide range of choices
to help consumers manage their consumption of trans fats and saturated
fats, which contribute to obesity and other health problems.
ARAMARK
works closely with suppliers, managers, dietitians, chefs and consumers
to find the most innovative, most tasteful and most reliable solutions
for all of our operations.
ARAMARK’s Position
- According
to the medical community, both trans fats and saturated fats increase
the amount of "bad" (LDL) cholesterol in blood, shown to increase the
risk of heart disease. However, some research has shown that trans fats
also decrease the "good" (HDL) cholesterol, which may increase the risk
of heart disease even more.
- Commercially packaged food items
sold at ARAMARK-managed locations report trans fat information on the
nutritional label, consistent with the January 2006 FDA regulation
requirements. The FDA does not set a limit on the amount of trans fats
in food, processed or otherwise. The labeling is meant to inform
consumers that trans fats are present in the packaged products, as a
component of the total fat content.
- The majority of ARAMARK
recipes use fresh ingredients, not commercially packaged products. We
seek to use fresh and healthy ingredients that do not have hydrogenated
oils, a primary source of trans fats.
- ARAMARK proprietary
consumer research has shown that customers are becoming more concerned
with trans fats in the foods they purchase. Because of these findings,
ARAMARK has been proactively working with manufacturers to identify and
reduce saturated fats and trans fats in recipe ingredients and prepared
foods at all of the company’s dining locations.
- Many
ARAMARK-managed locations across the United States already use fryer
oil that is "zero grams trans fat" (defined by the FDA as 0.5 grams per
serving or less), and the conversion to zero grams trans fat fryer oil
will continue. All ARAMARK dining accounts in the U.S. will complete
that conversion by the end of the first quarter of 2007.
- ARAMARK
is identifying and testing other products that reduce or eliminate
trans fats and will comply with all governing legislation regarding
trans fats in products and recipes served at the on-site restaurants
the company manages.
- To further understand saturated and trans
fats and the effects they have on health, ARAMARK has produced several
communication pieces to share with employees, clients and consumers.
- In
addition, ARAMARK has created several popular and award-winning
programs to help consumers choose foods based on individual taste
preferences and health needs.
- ARAMARK is fully committed to
providing fresh and healthy food options and educational programs to
help consumers make the best – and healthiest – away-from-home dining
selections.