ICYMI: FDA’s Trans Fat Ban

In case you didn’t read a newspaper or check out the news last week, something HUGE happened in the field of health & nutrition.

On November 8, 2013 the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) released a preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated oils (READ: TRANS FAT) are no longer “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) for use in our foods. The FDA deemed partially hydrogenated oils are used as food additives, mostly in PROCESSED foods, and provide the primary source of trans fat in the American diet. Based on new scientific evidence, the FDA banned trans fats because of their association with detrimental health effects.

What health effects? 

The consumption of trans fat is associated with heart disease and contributes to THOUSANDS more deaths from heart disease (specifically heart attacks) each year.

A little history: 

Since 1999 the FDA has been concerned about the health effects of trans fat. In 2006, products were required to declare the amount of trans fat on the Nutrition Facts label. Nevertheless, previous labeling laws allow products to boast “trans fat FREE” if they contain less than 0.5 grams of trans fat (you can always check the ingredient list for “partially hydrogenated oil”). 

New York City already banned the use of trans fat in restaurants, and now the federal government is taking note of the detrimental effects that trans fat has on our health.

What does this mean for us?

If this ruling is finalized, artificially produced trans fat (in processed foods) would no longer be allowed in our foods. Trans fat, however, would not COMPLETELY be removed from our diets because small amounts naturally do exist in meat and dairy products. Completely hydrogenated oils ARE allowed and also contain small amounts of trans fat that is unavoidable in the manufacturing process. 

For now, choose foods with low amounts of saturated fats and no trans fats. Be a smart label reader and especially look out for these foods:

• Crackers, cookies, cakes, frozen pies and other baked goods
• Microwave popcorn (You know I love to pop my own from kernels for this reason!)
• Frozen pizza
• Vegetable shortenings and stick margarines (Although many companies have eliminated them over the past few years.)
• Coffee creamers
• Refrigerated dough products (such as biscuits and cinnamon rolls)
• Ready-to-use frostings and baked goods

Be an educated consumer & remember: