IN BRIEF : Keebler Taking Oils Out of Recipes

Keebler Co. said today that it will eliminate tropical oils and lard from its cookies, crackers and snack foods to help reduce cholesterol.

The company also said it will begin listing nutritional values on the packages of its products.

Last week, Pepperidge Farm Inc. promised to remove tropical oils from its products, including its popular “Original Goldfish” crackers, due to strong consumer health concerns.

Thomas Garvin, president and chief executive officer of Keebler, said that Keebler snack foods made without tropical oils and lard should begin appearing on grocery and supermarket shelves in March.

By the end of 1989, no Keebler product will contain tropical oil, lard or beef fat, said Stuart Greenblatt, a Keebler spokesman. Butter and cheese, both of which contain fat, will be used in some products, he said. Greenblatt said reformulating the food products would not affect consumer prices.