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This week the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics released a statement supporting the FDA in the reduction of trans fats in processed foods.  This move by the FDA will reduce the number of processed food products available to consumers containing partially hydrogenated oils.  Partially hydrogenated oils are found in processed foods such as margarine, creamers, fried foods and frozen pizza to name a few.  These processed food sources containing artificial trans fats pose a health risk by increasing low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or the “bad cholesterol”.  When there is an increase in LDL, there is an increase risk of coronary heart disease, potentially leading to strokes or heart attacks.

I think this is a terrific step to improving the foods we consume.  Since food manufacturers were required to label trans fats on the Nutrition Facts label in 2006, there has been a reduction in the consumption of trans fats by Americans from 4.6 grams per day in 2003 to about 1 gram per day in 2012.  Food manufactures changed recipes containing trans fats, and some fast food chains eliminated trans fats from their cooking oils. 

Trans fats were considered as safe to the FDA until research proved it to be a health risk. I often wonder what other food additives that are currently considered safe by the FDA will be eliminated from our food supply due to research proving it is no longer safe to consume.  

AW
http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=6442478985#.UnzXgxZU3dk 

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