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- Dunkin' Cuts the Fat
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Dunkin’ Donuts, the food-on-the-go chain whose name celebrates a treat that’s symbolic of unhealthy eating, is trying to refresh its image by largely eliminating trans fat across its menu. Dunkin’ just announced that it has developed an alternative cooking oil and reformulated more than 50 menu items including doughnuts. Dunkin' has said it will have “zero grams trans fat” on its menu by Oct. 15 across its 5,400 U.S. restaurants in 34 states.
About 400 locations nationwide that took part in a four-month test already have made the switch to a new blend of palm, soybean and cottonseed oils.
This reduction of trans fat should NOT be viewed as Dunkin’ positioning its namesake product as health food, rather they are just making a better, more conscious product.
“The goal was not to make a healthy doughnut, it was really to create a doughnut that was better,” said Joe Scafido, Dunkin’s chief creative and innovation officer. “Certainly, we did not create a healthy doughnut.”
Although its coffees are by far a bigger seller, the New England-bred, 57-year-old chain was founded on the reputation of its doughnuts. Now, Dunkin’ claims to be the first major chain to introduce a zero grams trans fat doughnut. Mainstream doughnut makers’ products can have around a whopping 5 grams of trans fat apiece.
Dunkin’ is ahead of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts which has yet to roll out a zero gram trans fat doughnut but hopes to do so. Brian Little, a spokesman for the North Carolina-based chain, said, “We continue to work aggressively with outside supply partners, and our goal is to get to zero trans fatty acids while maintaining great Krispy Kreme taste.”
Interestingly enough, the pioneering Starbucks, Dunkin’s coffee rival said in May that it would cut artificial trans fats out of its food and drink by year’s end in stores in the continental U.S., Alaska and Canada. Dunkin' beating Starbuck's in healthiness? Who would've thought...
- Posted Aug 28, 2007 by sarahisafoodie | 6 Comments | Share It
- Filed under: trans fat
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Comments:
Step in the right direction
By
aleeza on August 28, 2007 at 11:42:29 AM
It is funny ,I saw a story about this on MSN right above where they talk about Americans being the fattest they've ever been. Thank god companies like this are taking a step in this direction. It is totally embarassing and disgusting that we are such a fat country.
By
chknbone360 on August 28, 2007 at 12:58:42 PM
With the recent trans fat regulations in New York City, Albany, Philadelphia, Massachusetts and Washington banning (or in the process of banning) trans fat in restaurant Dunkin is being forced to retrofit the products that they sell to their franchises. Undoubtedly they see the writing on the wall and have decided that rather then produce 2 versions of the same product they will just make everything trans fat free. I'm sure some savvy publicity team decided to spin this in a way that makes them seem like they are doing this out of the goodness of thier heart. Lets face it they serve doughnuts. They don't care about peoples cholesterol. They do however care about selling more doughnuts and if people can justify their guilty pleasure by telling themselves that its ok cause there is no trans fat in them then Dunkin is pleased as punch. Expect many others to follow suit.
By
Luvs2Eat on August 28, 2007 at 04:50:30 PM
Like the article said, Dunkin' Donuts is in no way trying to position itself as healthy. In fact, they are prohibited by law to use the word 'health' or 'healthy' in any marketing collateral, packaging or promotions. Do I think that this is the answer to obesity? NO. I do believe, however, that this is important news b/c of the brand name recognition of DD. By making this move, DD is going to force other major business to keep up this the Dunkin's (cheesy, I know). Eliminating trans fats and other preservatives & artificial ingredients is a big deal. This move does not make DD healthy per se, but it does mean that people can indulge (with self-control, of course) and know that they are not ingesting trans fats. I'll raise a doughnut to that.
By
pavel_987 on August 29, 2007 at 11:06:03 AM
Now if only companies started to get rid of high fructose corn syrup.
By
TopChefMarco on August 30, 2007 at 10:45:45 AM
This is great news for the industry... hopefully DD will continue going in the health-conscious direction.
By
chknbone360 on September 3, 2007 at 10:08:05 PM
I honestly find it amusing that people praise them for doing something that they are being forced to do. But hey whatever makes you feel like that second cruller of the morning is ok...