Kentucky Fried Chicken will begin cooking with a trans-fat-free canola oil in an attempt to offer healthier fare in all of its 786 restaurants across Canada, the company announced Monday.

The restaurant chain will begin using the new oils in both Canada and the United States and expects the change to be completed by April 2007.

Trans fats raise the levels of low-density lipoprotein or "bad" cholesterol in the body and can lead to clogged arteries and heart disease. Trans fats, initially believed to be a cheaper and healthier alternative to butter and lard, are created when liquid oils are turned into solids.

"Our KFC customers have told us this was important to them and we made this our priority," said Jeff O'Neill, the president and chief operating officer of the Priszm Canadian Income Fund. Priszm also owns and operates Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in Canada.

The announcement was made just before a New York City Board of Health hearing on a proposal to make New York the first U.S. city to ban trans fatty acids from the city's restaurants.

In Canada, companies are required to list trans fats along with other nutritional information on all pre-packaged foods and drinks — but restaurants and bakeries do not have to disclose any nutritional information, including whether their products contain trans fats.

McDonald's also aims to ditch trans-fat oils

In September, officials with McDonald's Canada announced the fast-food company was delaying posting nutrition information on its packaging because it could not find a sustainable supply of trans-fat free cooking oil.

A company spokesman said McDonald's Canada had been examining oil options since 2003 but has had a difficult time finding a sustainable supply of trans-fat free oil.

"We can't make a change and then run out," said Ron Christianson. "We want to ensure that it's long-lasting and it's the right and best choice for our customers. We have not been able to locate that as of yet."