Wal-Mart's delis change to trans fat-free oil

In a trend that we've seen from fast food chains recently, the move from fatty cooking oils to trans fat-free oils will be taking place inside Wal-Marts soon, according to the company.

The delicatessen areas inside Wal-Mart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets will undergo a change to use cooking oils free from trans fats, which are known to clog arteries and have other adverse affects on human health.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) actually began the transition away from trans fats back in January, but just this week announced that it had completed the transition.

For regular customers who like fried items from the Wal-Mart deli (like fried chicken), this move will make for a healthier fried food (if that is possible). It's great to see Wal-Mart following the lead of other food establishments and even the lead of New York City, which will have all trans fat-free restaurants by this July according to a new law passed recently there.

What Wal-Mart needs to do now is promote this change more than in the window of its deli locations. It takes more than a press release and more than a few business stories to get the word out, and the retailer(as always) needs all the good publicity it can get. This is a great way to get some, and I'll be amazed if Wal-Mart lets this PR opportunity get by without proper promotion and some generous marketing to ensure the U.S. population that it has taken steps to make its deli foods healthier.