Dallas, Oct. 28 - In an unprecedented move, Texas-based Jason's Deli eliminated high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) from its food and an expansive deli menu. The company has procured new versions of breads, dressings, desserts – including their signature free soft serve ice cream – and dozens of other food items.
The restaurant chain – which maintains a corporate office in Beaumont and regional offices in Dallas, Houston and Atlanta – feeds more than 30 million people a year in 25 states through more than 200 delis including Chicago, DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, Austin, et al.
“To our more than 30 million customers, we would like to announce that we have accomplished the rare hat trick for a restaurant chain with hundreds of units – eliminating artificial trans-fats, MSG and high fructose corn syrup in food,” stated Rusty Coco, an owner and the Executive Vice-President of Jason’s Deli.
“Even though this was an enormous undertaking as high fructose corn syrup is pervasive in the food system, we found that removing HFCS actually makes the food taste better” said Coco. “We’re fighting The Battle for Real Food as the food industry has gotten addicted to cutting back on quality and cheapening products. Our aim is to serve the tastiest meals at the best prices; that by the way, happen to contain organic ingredients and no artificial trans-fats, MSG or high fructose corn syrup,” added Coco. “We challenge the entire restaurant industry to follow our footsteps. Create ‘clean’ food because consumers can taste the difference,” stated Coco.
“By eliminating foods with HFCS, Jason’s Deli has become a leader among deli and restaurant chains,” exclaimed Dr. Richard Johnson author of The Sugar Fix and professor at The University of Colorado. “This should translate into healthier foods that carry much less risk for causing obesity and possibly diabetes. Let’s hope other restaurants follow suit,” he added.
In early 2005, Jason’s became one of the first in the nation to remove artificial trans-fats from its menu. While the process took more than four years, it was streamlined because Jason’s Deli owns its distribution company so that it can negotiate with growers and manufacturers directly.
The company has not yet made a decision about HFCS in beverages and encourages people to go to jasonsdeli.com/real in order to vote on how to move forward. For the past few months, the company allowed people to vote on its web site about the issue. With 1,000+ votes, so far 51% seek to replace HFCS sodas with ones without while 33% stated keeping HFCS sodas but adding more cane sugar products. Only 16% proposed staying the same. Jason’s Deli has been sharing the data with the major beverage companies.
Jason’s Deli is a privately owned company that was started by a Beaumont family. Since its founding in 1976, Jason’s Deli has become the number one fastest growing fast casual restaurant chain with 200+ stores in 25 states, according to QSR Magazine (August 2008).