Move to 'Zero Trans Fats' Reflects North Shore-LIJ's Commitment to Health and Highlights Importance of Removing Trans Fats from the Diet

The North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System today announced that it has taken the important step to remove trans fats from all foods served at facilities within the health system.The move to a 'zero trans fats' policy by one of the nation's largest healthcare systems signals the growing importance of eliminating trans fats in the diet, and stresses the health system's commitment to providing the healthiest alternatives for the thousands of people they serve each day.

Beginning this week, all facilities within the North Shore-LIJ Health System will be switching to trans fat free soy oils and frying oils for all patient/staff dining as well as each facility's on-site visitor restaurant. Through food service distributor J. Kings Food Service Professionals, the Health System will now be using Ventura Foods - Mel-Fry Free Frying Oil and Trans Fat Free Soy Oil - each containing zero grams of trans fats per serving, and a significantly healthier alternative to partially hydrogenated oils.

"Our health care professionals and culinary team have always been focused on providing healthy and nutritious foods, and our latest step to remove all trans fats from our food is something we feel very strongly about at North Shore-LIJ," says Michael J. Dowling, president and chief executive officer. "Not only are we the region's largest healthcare provider, but we are one of Long Island's largest caterers, with more than 35,000 people eating at our facilities on a daily basis. Therefore, we recognize how important it is for us to institute a zero trans fat rule system-wide, and set the precedent for healthier trans fat-free food preparation throughout Long Island."

Trans fats, or trans fatty acids, are formed when liquid vegetable oils go through a chemical process called hydrogenation, in which hydrogen is added to make the oils more solid. Although some trans fat is found naturally in small amounts in various meat and dairy products, the majority of trans fats can be found in shortenings, stick (or hard) margarine, cookies, crackers, snack foods, fried foods, baked goods and other processed foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. The consumption of trans fat raises LDL ('bad') cholesterol and lowers HDL ('good') cholesterol - causing arteries to become clogged andincreasing the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

Researchers at Harvard's School of Public Health have estimated that trans fats contribute to 30,000 U.S. deaths per year. The North Shore-LIJ Health System's elimination of trans fats comes at a time when health care officials, restaurant owners and food companies are paying increased attention to finding alternatives to the use of trans fats in food preparation.

A recent ruling by the FDA now requires that all food companies list any measurable trans fat content (0.5 grams or more) separately on the Nutrition Facts panel of all packaged foods. In addition, in September the New York City Board of Health voted unanimously to move forward with plans to prohibit restaurants in New York City from serving foods that contain more than a minute amount (less than 0.5 grams) of artificial trans fat. "Although Long Island has yet to take the steps that New York City has in terms of formally calling for the elimination of trans fats from restaurants, we felt it was very important for us to move forward with a zero trans fat policy at all of our facilities," says Mr. Dowling. "As the region's largest health care provider, North Shore-LIJ has an obligation to our patients, staff and visitors to serve the healthiest meals possible."

About North Shore-LIJ Health System

The nation's third largest, non-profit, secular healthcare system, the North Shore-LIJ Health System cares for people of all ages throughout Long Island, Queens and Staten Island - a service area encompassing more than five million people. The health system includes 15 hospitals, four long-term care facilities, a medical research institute, four trauma centers, five home health agencies and dozens of out-patient centers. North Shore-LIJ facilities house more than 6,000 beds, and are staffed by over 8,000 physicians, 10,500 nurses and a total workforce of about 37,500 - the largest employer on Long Island and the ninth largest in New York City.

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