Fast-food Fries Without Trans Fats Rated Just as Good

By J.M. Hirsch, Associated Press
07/06/2009 03:09:13 PM PDT

Did fast-food fries go downhill when trans fats went away? No, says Consumer Reports.

Now that most major fast-food chains have purged trans fats from their menus, the magazine tested the french fries at Wendy's, McDonald's and Burger King — and found they taste about the same as they used to.

For its August issue, the magazine had taste testers sample fries from three outlets of each chain. The same testers previously had sampled the fries when trans fats were used.

The fries at Wendy's came out on top with a rating of "very good"; they were described as having a big potato flavor with a light crispy surface and a soft inside.

The fries at McDonald's, also rated very good, were praised as flavorful and crisp but needed to taste "more potato-y." Burger King's fries came last with a "good" rating. The magazine said they were tough and tasted more of oil than potato.

The Burger King fries contained the most fat and calories: 23 grams of fat and 480 calories for a medium order, compared with Wendy's 20 grams of fat, 430 calories and McDonald's at 19 grams of fat, 380 calories.

Trans fat raises the level of bad cholesterol in the body and can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

California last year passed a law saying trans fat must be removed from restaurant products beginning in 2010 and from all non-packaged retail baked goods by 2011. Lawmakers nationwide are considering similar laws.