Compass Group Points the Way to a Zero Trans Fat Course

14/11/07 Compass Group North America, the largest foodservice provider in the country, has announced that it has eliminated two million pounds trans-fat and 485,000 pounds saturated fat from their customers' diets this past year.

This recent news is a culmination of a series of initiatives by Compass Group to reduce and eliminate artificial trans-fats from their menus by restricting the availability and sales of products containing artificial trans-fats.

Starting in 2001, Flik International and Bon Appetit Management Company (owned by Compass Group) were the very first foodservice companies, back in 2001 and 2003, respectively, to switch to zero trans-fat (ZTF) cooking oils.

In response to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association recommendations to minimize trans-fat consumption, all remaining operating companies and sectors -- including Chartwells, Morrison Management Specialists, Restaurant Associates, Eurest Dining Services and Levy Restaurants -- transitioned to a non-hydrogenated, zero trans-fat oil. Nutra- Clear NT, which has zero trans fat and is one of the lowest in saturated fat among oil alternatives on the market today, was selected as the preferred product available for purchase in the company's distribution centers throughout the country. This was completed in 2006.

As of July 2007, Compass Group and all its operating companies also eliminated trans-fats from margarines and other spreads.

The move, which affected over 8,000 accounts across the country, further strengthened Compass Group's commitment to providing healthy menu items to its clients and customers. Those embracing this latest initiative included Caterpillar, SAP, Wyeth, American Express, Chicago Public Schools, University of Miami, The Dalton School, Northeastern University, Smithsonian Institution, and the Georgia Aquarium.

Compass Group is also working on their goal to eliminate all other foods with artificial trans-fat including snack foods and baked goods by December 31, 2007.

Deanne Brandstetter, M.B.A., R.D., Nutrition Director for Compass Group explained, "The products we have chosen allow us to not only eliminate trans- fat, but also lower the amount of saturated fat in foods we serve. We made a conscious decision not to promote products that are high in saturated fat just for the sake of eliminating trans-fat."

As a result, Compass Group has eliminated 2 million pounds or 894 metric tons of trans-fat per year from their food systems. They have also eliminated 485,000 pounds or 219 metric tons of saturated fat per year from their customer's diets and have replaced it with much healthier mono-unsaturated fats. The number is based on current annual oil purchases of 19 million pounds with percentages from the 2006-2007 year compared with percentages from the 2004-2005 period.

Zero trans-fat (ZTF) is defined by the Food and Drug Administration as containing less than 0.5 grams of trans-fat per serving.