Dunkin’s going zero grams trans fat by mid-October

About 400 US locations that took part in a four-month test already have made the switch to a new blend of palm, soybean and cottonseed oils. That includes all restaurants in New York City and Philadephia, which are forcing restaurants to phase out their use of artery-clogging tans fat.

The ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins, another unit of Dunkin’ Brands Inc., plans to be zero grams trans fat by Jan 1.

Dunkin’ is not claiming it will become “trans fat free,” but does say any trans fat in foods including doughnuts, croissants, muffins and cookies will fall below half a gram per serving. Federal regulations allow food labels to say they’ve got zero grams of trans fat, provided levels fall below the half-gram threshold.

A nutrition advocacy group welcomed Dunkin’s addition to the list of restaurant chains that have recently shifted away from trans fat.

“It’s good news that they’re dropping most, if not quite all, trans fat,” said Jeff Cronin, spokesman for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington-based nonprofit. “If Dunkin’ Donuts can do that, anyone can.”