McDonald's Corp. (NYSE:MCD) has gotten on the bandwagon against trans-fats.

The company told the Associated Press that its using a trans-fat free oil at more than 1,200 U.S. restaurant. McDonald's wouldn't provide any further details, which makes me think that fries cooked in the new oil don't taste as yummy as the current artery-clogging stuff though the company claims otherwise.

Ronald McDonald's parent got in hot water with public health advocates in 2002 for backing away from its pledge to create a new cooking oil, citing concerns about the taste of its fries.

Restaurants are under the gun because of trans-fats. New York City is banning artificial trans-fats effective July 1. Other cities, including Philadelphia are probably going to follow. Plus, Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:YUM) has already gotten positive press for phasing out the bad oil at KFC and Taco Bell.

Now that the food police are winning this fight, you can bet that portion sizes will be next on their agenda. Look for warning labels on the double Quarter Pounder. Then McDonald's will have to certify that that its beef, chicken and produce came from organic farms. Finally, federal authorities will demand that anti-cholesterol drugs be added to the ketchup.

I am not against nutrition, but I do worry that we are becoming a nanny state. Where does it stop?

The news seemed so lovely, so sudden, so decisive: effective tomorrow first thing, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) stores in my hometown, Portland, and in several other major cities (including Seattle, San Francisco, and New York) will replace all trans-fat loaded treats with versions that are free of the artery-clogging stuff.

You'd think I'd be happy. After all, I'm the one who rails on companies for using trans-fats in their foodstuffs, and examines grocery store labels so carefully I did a whole photo essay on it. And both I and my adorable, sugar-crazed kids are frequently found at our local Starbucks, eating the chain's doughnuts, its Cranberry Bliss Bars, its glazed, colorful cookies.

But here's the thing: I didn't realize Starbucks treats had any trans-fats! In announcing this proactive and kind move, Starbucks shook the very foundation of my blissful ignorance. Heading immediately over to Starbucks' web site, I pull up the nutrition information for my local store (since treats are baked locally and different stores have different offerings, each "zone" has its own nutrition sheet). And I am floored.