3/3/2003 CHICAGO (AP) - McDonald's plans to switch to a healthiercooking oil in America have been put on hold, the company said.

When it announced the change in September, the world's largest fast-foodrestaurant chain had said it would make the switch by the end of February.But in a brief news release Friday night, the company said it will``extend the timeframe.''

The release did not say when McDonald's 13,000 Amreican restaurants willbegin using the oil.

``While speedy implementation is an admirable goal, we are most focused onthe satisfaction of our customers and the quality of our products,'' saidRalph Alvarez, McDonald's U.S. chief operations officer.

Spokesman Walt Riker said the analysis and review of the oil is ongoingand that it has not been decided when the oil would be introduced.

The Oak Brook-based company has said the new oil, which will be used tocook all its fried foods, will halve the trans fatty acid levels in itsfrench fries and increase the amount of the more beneficialpolyunsaturated fat.

Trans fatty acids increase the body's level of bad cholesterol whilereducing levels of good cholesterol, and have been linked to a higher riskof heart disease.