Foods are being cooked in fryer oil that is completely free of trans fats, according to Gerald Massenburg, assistant provost for student life. Trans fats clog arteries, increasing bad cholesterol and lowering good cholesterol. The campus caterer, ARAMARK, phased out the use of partially hydrogenated oils to prepare foods, and is now using only trans fat-free oils, he explains.
On the Newark campus, ARAMARK operates the Robeson Caf, University Club, Quiznos and Starbucks in the Paul Robeson Campus Center, as well as Stonsby Commons -- the dining hall for Rutgers-Newarks 1,200 residential students -- the Center for Law and Justice Caf, and the Bradley Hall Caf.
It is encouraging to note that Aramark is paying attention to the latest scientific literature regarding healthy diets, by eliminating trans fats from their recipes, states Dr. Sandra Samuels, MD, director of Health Services for Rutgers in Newark. Trans fats contribute to cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States."
According to Massenburg, the move to zero trans fats fryer oil will not increase the cost of meals, or impact taste. ARAMARK also will work with manufacturers to identify and reduce trans fats in pre-packaged foods sold on campus, according to Massenburg.
Many restaurants and dining facilities are moving to lower or eliminate trans fats from fryer oil, and New York City is banning trans fats effective in 2008. ARAMARK, which serves more than 200 million meals daily at more than 400 universities and colleges, is eliminating trans fats from all of its dining services operations.