Press Release

Beginning in Jan. 2007, Jose's in Fayetteville and Jose's Southwest Grille in Springdale will be using a trans fat free cooking oil in place of their traditional oil in the preparation of all of their fried offerings, including chips, chimichangas, sopapillas and others.

Test results show that trans fats increase bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, thus increasing the risk for heart disease. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, more than 12.5 million Americans have heart disease and more than 500,000 die from the disease each year.

The test results are so staggering that New York City recently voted to ban the use of trans fats in all of its restaurants. While that has not happened in Arkansas as of yet, Jose's is choosing to make the switch because of its loyalty to its customers. Despite the increase in cost, Jose's feels it is necessary in order to maintain the utmost in quality and healthy ingredients.

"We feel that we owe it to our customers to provide them with the best tasting and healthiest food possible. Switching to trans fat free cooking oil is just part of this promise," said Doug Allen, Owner of Jose's Southwest Grille in Springdale, AR. "Jose's has always been a leader in the restaurant community and we are proud to be on the leading edge of this movement in Northwest Arkansas towards healthier offerings through the use of trans fat free cooking oil," said Allen.

The decision to make the switch to trans fat free oil was not determined overnight. Extensive taste tests were done to ensure that the healthier oil would not change the traditional flavor of Jose's menu offerings. The test results found that the trans fat free oil does not have a negative impact on the taste of the food and, if anything, the tastes were better than with the traditional oil. Jose's Southwest Grille in Springdale has used the trans fat free oil for over a month now and have had no complaints in the change of taste or food quality.

Trans fat is formed through a chemical process called hydration. It can be found in shortenings, stick margarine, cookies, fried foods and other processed foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Trans fats allow for a longer shelf life and can give food a more appealing taste and texture. These fats gained popularity when food manufacturers were looking for alternatives to unpopular saturated fats.

In business, it is often said that the "customer is always first." Jose's is taking this philosophy to heart with their new healthy switch to trans fat free cooking oil. Not only will Jose's customers' hearts thank them, their taste buds won't know the difference.

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