Krispy Kreme and Trans Fat

I love Krispy Kreme doughnuts (donuts) and was quite disappointed to find out they are made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, i.e., EVIL TRANS FAT! I emailed them a few months ago to express my concern, and they sent me a form email in return. Now that the FDA now mandates trans fat disclosure on nutritional labels, I emailed them again, attaching a Wall Street Journal article on the topic. Here is the second email I sent them [sans Wall Street Journal article]:

With regards to a previous email I sent you regarding trans fat in Krispy Kreme donuts, I am forwarding this Wall Street Journal article to you (see attached, I have ommitted a table) that highlights the dangers of trans fat and also documents the new labeling requirement that will come into effect 1/1/06.

The article specifically indicates that donuts have a significant amount of trans fat in them, and the table I ommitted lists Dunkin' Donut Glazed has 4g of trans fat, 2.5g of saturated fat, for a total of 6.5g of "bad fat".

I look forward to seeing an announcement from your company that you will be switching from trans fat to a healthier alternative in your baking process.

This time, they took the time to send me a more detailed response:

Dear Ms. Wu,

Thank you for your email.

We highly appreciate your feedback as well as your continued loyalty to Krispy Kreme. We do understand your concern for the way that Krispy Kreme makes our doughnuts and we thank you sending us that article.

Regarding your previous email, our doughnuts are cooked in 100% vegetable oil shortening, partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil. We quickly cook our doughnuts for just 45 seconds on each side.

Hydrogenated vegetable oils are an essential ingredient in many cereal and baked goods. In addition, trans-fatty acids, which are a result of hydrogenation, occur naturally in meat and milk. The use of a non-hydrogenated oil would generate a product noticeably different, in taste and texture, to the Krispy Kreme doughnuts our customers have enjoyed for sixty-five years.

We definitely have noted your concern and your request for Krispy Kreme to change the way that we make our doughnuts. We do thank you for your concern and we hope to be able to serve you again in the future.

I dispute the fact that trans fat is an "essential ingredient" in many cereal and baked goods, given that there are manufacturers who make these items without it. I hope the take my recommendation seriously.