You've probably noticed the "zero trans fats" labels on food, but soon these designations won't be necessary.
Trans fats are going away for good. The FDA says they aren't safe to eat, linking trans fat to higher weight, risk of heart disease and even memory loss.
FDA takes step to remove trans fats in processed foods. Expected to prevent 1000s of fatal heart attacks every year. http://t.co/32Z1a7ZsUS
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) June 16, 2015
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says most trans fats come from hydrogenated oils as food additives.
"Trans fat was initially used in our food to increase shelf stability into foods we were consuming such as baked goods," said spokesperson Jessica Crandall.
Trans fats raise bad cholesterols. This leads to cardiovascular disease, which is the number one killer in the U.S. The average American eats close to a gram of trans fat everyday without realizing it. In the past, companies could label products "trans fat free" as long as the amount was below half a gram.
The FDA's new rules eliminate that provision.
"I think it's really hard for us to know what we're consuming at this point because the small numbers under 1 gram that are not listed on the food labels, may be sneaking into our diet," said Crandall. "But this new ruling from the FDA will help eliminate it completely."
Where trans fats are:
1. Coffee creamer
2. Crackers, cookies, cakes, frozen pies, and other baked goods
3. Fast food
4. Frozen pizza
5. Ready-to-use frostings
6. Refrigerated dough products (such as biscuits and cinnamon rolls)
7. Snack foods (such as microwave popcorn)
8. Vegetable shortenings and stick margarines
Years of public comment and scientific studies led to the change.
Manufacturers were required to label trans fat in 2006, and the regulation is having a positive impact on American health. Between 2003 and 2012-- when labeling was introduced-- there was a 78 percent drop in consumption.
The FDA hopes removing trans fat from food could prevent 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths each year.
