When served with onion rings and hushpuppies - made from deep-fried cornmeal batter - the time limited offering from fast-food chain Long John Silver's has been dubbed 'America's worst restaurant meal' by the Centre for Science in the Public Interest.
The CSPI point out that while there are many fast food meals with higher calories counts, the fact the haddock and accompanying sides are covered in thick batter and cooked in partially hydrogenated oil makes it a particularly unhealthy option. This results in high levels of trans fatty acid (TFA), which has been linked to heart disease. The meal is also high in sodium and saturated fat.
Walter C. Willett of the Harvad School of Public Health says "it might have been defensible to use hydrogenated oil in the 1980s, before trans fat's harmfulness was discovered, but no longer. It is outrageous that Long John Silver's foods are still loaded with artificial trans fat and that the FDA still permits it in foods."
Long John Silver's have responded by stating there are healthier sides offered other than the battered ones, and stress the 'Big Catch' contains more whitefish than any of their other meals.
Regulations
Use of artificial hydrogenated cooking oils are banned or heavily restricted in restaurants in several US states and cities. including New York City and San Francisco. Restaurants in these locations have switched to natural and healthier substitutes.
CSPI have threatened to sue Long John Silver's unless they start using alternative oils, like they already do in regulated states. CSPI had previously threatened similar action against KFC, who ultimately stopped using partially hydrogenated oil in 2006.
Trans fat and partially hydrogenated oils have been banned in some European territories, such as Denmark and Switzerland.
There is no ban in place in Ireland, with the Food Safety Authority stating "as part of a healthy diet, consumers are advised to try to lower their intake of saturated fatty acids". They recommend consumers check ingredients on products to see if partially hydrogenated oil or hydrogenated oil is listed.
(Image: Long John Silver's)
