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I subscribe to a health letter from Dr.Stephen Byrnes
[[log in to unmask]] I thought this note would be of
interest- it looks like we'll get better labeling of MacDonald's
products as a result: more information about the nebulous "natural
flavors" in french fries and other foods.  But I hope they don't use the
equally nebulous "vegetable" term.

From the health letter:

2. McDonald's Admits What's In the Fries

In late May, it was revealed that for more than a decade fast
food giant McDonald's put "natural flavoring" in its french fries
that turned out to be beef flavoring. Vegetarians were outraged,
especially Hindus for whom eating meat is forbidden by religious
dictates. After several months of protests and the threat of
at least one lawsuit, McDonald's has caved. It announced Monday
night on its company Web site that from now on the restaurant
will provide updated nutrition information about the ingredients
in its "natural flavors" in french fries and other foods. "Customers
will be able to find out specifically if a natural flavor comes
from a dairy, meat, or vegetable source," McDonald's said in
the news announcement.

COMMENT: Well, the secret is out! Some of you may remember that,
prior to the mid-1980s, McDonald's used beef tallow for most
of their deep-frying. It switched to hydrogenated vegetable shortening
after the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) got rolling
in the USA. Unfortunately, such a change resulted in a less tasty
(and unhealthy) product. Perhaps this is the reason why McDonald's
decided to add beef flavoring into the fries?