Weeks ago, New York City announced it’s considering a ban on trans fat used in restaurants within the city limits. This caused much foodie furor on Slog — some commentors thought the gov’t was within its right to ban the artificial fat, since it might save the state on health care and trans fat can be qualified as a poison, others decried “nanny state bullshit.” In any case, today KFC added some low linolenic soybean grease to the wheels turning toward trans-fat eradication. I don’t think KFC would have taken this step without heavy pressure from somewhere, though it’s usually the role of consumer health groups (not the government) to lean on fast food chains when it comes to upping nutrition. But KFC’s trans fat habit isn’t just in touble with the government, in June a doctor filed suit about the fat content.

Anyway, KFC paid their spokesman, who may or may not be a perky android, to recite lines like this to the papers: ”We’ve tested a wide variety of oils available and we’re pleased we have found a way to keep our chicken finger lickin’ good — but with zero grams of trans fat.”

That quote is seamlessly juxtaposed in the AP article with this alarming expert opinion on KFC’s current product:

Artificial trans fat is so common that the average American eats 4.7 pounds of it a year, according to the Food and Drug Administration, yet so unhealthy, city health officials say it belongs in the same category as food spoiled by poor refrigeration or rodent droppings.

KFC is as healthy as rat shit? Maybe our next-door PETA protesters could use a new angle…