INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — No one would ever confuse the deep-fried Twinkies or corn fritters served at the Indiana State Fair for health food. But at least this year, they won”t be cooked in artery-clogging trans-fat oil.
Indiana is the first state to ban trans-fat cooking oils at its fair, an annual toast to farm life and fun that opened Wednesday.
The move follows decisions by cities such as New York and Philadelphia and fast-food chains — including KFC, Wendy”s and McDonald”s — to phase out the use of the artificial oils that can raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol.
Fair spokesman Andy Klotz said the ban didn”t rattle food vendors because 70 percent already were using trans-fat-free oils. The others soon came on board, agreeing to be supplied by the fair with healthier alternatives made from soybeans and corn.
“It”s just the way things are going in their world, and they understand that.” Mr. Klotz said.
The trans-fat ban only applies to fried foods served at the fair, where the menu ranges from crunchy, greasy onion “blooms” to deep-fried Snickers and Milky Ways and Pepsi-infused fried dough.
Vendor Monica Urick, whose family runs three booths at the fairground, said she has tasted all the fried foods and can”t detect a difference with the new oils. She predicts that customers won”t notice, either.
“They won”t even know the difference, except it”s a little healthier, which isn”t a bad thing at a state fair,” Miss Urick said.
The family switched to trans-fat-free oils in April to fry dough, tenderloins, shrimp, catfish and Cajun corn fritters — balls of sweet corn bread studded with fresh corn kernels served with a side of spicy remoulade dipping sauce. The concoction was voted the signature dish of this year”s fair.
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