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In 1990, amid a barrage of criticism over the amount of cholesterol in its fries, McDonald's switched to pure vegetable oil. The implication is they created a healthier product. But did they really deliver something better?

We generally believe if something is labeled “cholesterol-free,” “fat-free,” or “sugar-free,” it’s better for us. But the food and beverage industry is a profit-based entity that does what is necessary to boost sales. To take advantage of fear caused by increasing rates of obesity, heart disease, and cancer the fast food industry developed catchy phases to make us feel confident we make healthy choices for ourselves and our families.

If a food or food product doesn’t cause immediate threats to our health, it may still be unsafe to eat. True, fast food fries probably won’t send you to the emergency room; but what of the long-term effects on our arteries, our bones, and our waistlines? When we look at the harmful additives used in place of omitted ingredients, more harm than good is often the result.

So McDonald’s cooks their fries in vegetable oil. Are they healthier? Fact is, to heat any oil, animal or vegetable, to that high a temperature makes it toxic to your body. The two main sources of harm come from a) a process called oxidation that damages our cells and organs, and b) the production of trans fats, which we now know damage our hearts and destroy overall health.

I seek to provide both practical and informative facts to you; and this controversial topic is no exception. The general public is at the mercy of food industry claims that products are safe to eat. The problem is the word ‘safe.’ It is often abused when it comes to disclosure of health effects.

Things are just not always what they seem. It doesn’t save fast food chains money to switch to vegetable oil in their deep fryers, but if it means fewer consumer complaints and increased sales, you bet they’ll make the change. So be the savviest consumer you can be. Never be afraid to ask questions, read labels, and ultimately say no to junk.