Indianapolis is My Home

27
Jun

A Lower Fat State Fair - 1st in the Nation

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Cultural Events, Health, State Fair

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The Indiana State Fair announced yesterday that trans-substantiated fat oils will no longer be used by the majority of food vendors at the Indiana State Fair beginning this year. Perhaps the only caveat is popcorn vendors:

Popcorn will still contain trans fats because concessionaires could not find a trans-fat-free oil that mimicked the taste of butter as well, said Chip Huckaby, executive chef for Barto’s Banquets & Catering, which has been a concessionaire at the fair for 18 years. 

After listening to a brief interview on WIBC 1070AM yesterday, it appears they’ve been thinking about moving this direction for awhile, but really started taking action and making moves since January.

In the past the hindering factor had been the increased costs for the different oils. However, with more development by scientists in that area and an increased production volume, there are no additional costs associated with this change at the fairgrounds. In fact Chip Huckaby stated that there’s probably a savings experienced with the change.

For those not familiar with the impact of trans-fat on our health, Huckaby explained the problem very clearly in the interview. Many of us have deep fryers at home and are probably very familiar with the greasy film that collects on the lid and rim of those fryers, as well as anything else in the immediate vicinity while we’re cooking. That same coating and film of grease (which we know is a real pain to try and clean off of metal!) collects in our arteries and is what clogs up the ol’ system. Non trans-fat oils don’t produce that same film, so less coating, less blocking and overall a healthier experience.

Until a deep-fried candy bar and Twinkie makes it onto the list of basic food groups, greasy fats will be a little less worrisome for fair attenders this year. I’ll see you there with a funnel cake!

• State Fair takes some guilt out with ban on trans fat oils
• Indiana State Fair banishes trans fats