This petition requests that In-N-Out Burgers stop using cottonseed oil to fry their french fries.

 

Cottonseed oil is one of the most unhealthy oils on the market.  

Because cotton is not a food crop, it is not subject to regulations for food established by the USDA, our government’s guardian for food standards.  Insecticides that are forbidden on food plants can be used on cotton plants, and are present in the oil.  http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400361/Is-Cottonseed-Oil-Okay.html /and/  http://wizbangblue.com/2008/01/26/the-awful-truth-about-cottonseed-oil.php

 

Cottonseed cannot be used as food unless it is GMO’d, not even for cattle.  GMO food is highly suspect, outlawed by the European Union and several Asian counties.  It threatens “clean” crops, and many scientists consider it a danger to our health.  

 

It is also hydrogenated.   http://www.livestrong.com/article/272066-why-is-hydrogenated-oil-bad-for-you/

 

French fries need to be cooked in a “high smoke point” oil and, fortunately there are many healthier alternative oils.  The best of these seems to be rice bran oil, typically used for tempura.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_bran_oil /and/ http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2012/05/heart-healthy-cooking-oils-101/

 

We appreciate that In-N-Out pays its workers well, and runs a campaign to help abused and abandoned children (http://www.in-n-out.com/foundation.aspx).  

 

We appreciate that In-N-Out uses fresh potatoes and only potatoes—no additives—for the fries.  But then to put them in cottonseed oil renders them toxic to human health.  And the company betrays our trust when it advertises their french fries as “prepared in 100% cholesterol free vegetable oil” (http://www.in-n-out.com/menu.aspx).  All the signs I have personally seen in the northern California outlets make the same promise.  And yet every store manager I have spoken to has assured me they are using cottonseed oil. 

 

In-N-Out began in 1948 and is still family owned.  It purports to give customers the best and most healthy burger meal in the West, a promise many of us, especially parents and grandparents, depend on.  Their use of cottonseed oil belies this.

 

Please sign this petition even if you are not in the western part of the United States.  In-N-Out burger is expanding. They need to know that this unhealthy oil is not acceptable in a restaurant which advertises and promotes healthy ingredients.