Did you hear the news? The FDA announced this month that they are rolling out a 3 year initiative that will BAN trans fats in food. Which basically means no more partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, no more margarine—it’s all got to go. The FDA cited that trans fats are directly connected with heart disease, and no longer fall under “the generally recognized as safe for consumption” category. Did you know there was a classification like that?!
I found articles on treehugger and NPR that both highlighted the basics of the ban. Basically, companies will have three years to completely remove trans fats from their products. Both articles were unclear as to whether they will still allow any trans fats under .5 grams to be labeled as zero trans fats {apparently that is the current policy}.
So, here’s what I am thinking: It takes A LOT for the FDA to get around and outright ban something that is bad for public health. So, how bad has trans-fat got to be to get the ax? Pretty dang bad, I am guessing. Also, for the record, I have consumed my fair share of partially hydrogenated oils—it used to be in EVERYTHING, including Oreos and my beloved Crisco {luckily Crisco has moved away from it, so I can still do my baking with it}.
Although the use of trans fat has been on the decline since mandatory labeling began in 2006, I still think it’s a good thing that it will be one less thing to have to worry about in our food supply. Now I guess I can put that worry away and move on to solving world peace.
What are your thoughts on the ban?
~Mavis
Mrs. Chow says
First, the reason most manufacturers started using them was because of all the scare mongering about animal fats. The government spent decades telling us that butter, lard, and egg yolks are bad for us. Now, they realize they were wrong (just like they were about bran being a cure all). Another example: the latest research is showing that dietary cholesterol is not the culprit in elevated blood cholesterol – it could be refined carbs.
Second, I think this is unnecessary. Consumers have been demanding healthier foods and companies have been responding by ditching trans fats, artificial colors, etc.
Are they good for us? No. Is it necessary to ban them? Not really, but I think it makes people feel like something is being done.
HollyG says
It’s about time! Maybe GMO’s next?
beth says
I never buy margarine but there is a lot of it in stores so I wonder what manufacturers will replace it with. I have a feeling that some of my favourite junk foods may taste differently in the future.
Another Lisa says
Growing up, my family did not have butter, cream, ice cream or table salt. Eggs were rare. Instead we had margarine, non-dairy creamer, ice milk and egg-white mix. My dad was in poor health from some birth defects so was on a strict diet. It’s very unnerving to read these new studies and find that the foods he had to give up were actually good for him while the substitutes were harmful. It was only in hospice (gee, that was 10 years ago) when he was actually allowed to eat whatever he wanted.
I hated the taste of margarine and would eat toast, bread, rolls dry without them. I just assumed butter would be just as bad. Imagine my surprise when I was introduced to real food (in my 20’s). I could not believe how wonderful real butter tasted. I’m so glad to have access to real food now: butter and raw milk from grass-fed cows, and eggs, eggs, eggs from our free rangers. And if you ever had to endure ice milk, homemade ice cream is heaven above.
Betty D says
Really….FDA….it was FDA that several yrs ago said butter was causing heart issue…and people were advised not to eat and told to eat margarine/oleo. Now they’re saying not to eat it….Ive only used margarine anyway when the price of butter was so high I needed to buy it. We grew up with raw milk/making our own butter. My mom was raised on a dairy farm and knew alot from those eres…she would tell us about the depressions..etc. She lived to be 94/my dad 90. And then the aspartame in foods/drinks…nothing has been done about that. Some of the European countries have banned it. Its been know to cause seizures and other medical issues…even makes you want to eat more…when the purpose was to help slack the sugar issues…..If Im not mistaken FDA is govt run…that says it all. I remember in the 60…before the prenatal vitamins for preg. women came out…that they had some type meds for them. Well , it was a few yrs later they found out it was the cause of infants be born with limbs missing. So they hurried and took that off the market. Sometimes I think were being used as test without our say so…which they did to vets in war times.
Susannah says
Ah, yes, Thalidomide (prescribed for morning sickness)…scary stuff. GMOs, too. (I’m afraid that one will definitely be an uphill battle, especially with Monsanto’s big-money political clout.) On a day, however, when I am “tru-ly” feeling the physical effects/consequences of going to my mailbox, unaware that several neighbors had invited TruGreen to spray their yards this morning (the neighborhood now quite literally stinks of herbicide), the move to finally ban trans fats after all this time seems oddly…quaint. While I don’t like the stuff and avoid it routinely, I want to say that it first came to light like, what, 15-20 years ago? Strange that something is just now being done. I’m sad to say that I think the world has moved on to far scarier things to be afraid of at this point.
Tammy says
I do not buy anything with hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils in it. It will be interesting to see how many loopholes companies can come up with. You know, the whole pizza is a vegetable if you ask the school lunch lady thing.
Catherine says
You’d think they’d be more concerned with GMO foods and the effect they’re having on us and the bees.
Jen says
I wouldn’t buy that stuff anyhow but I think the government should get out of the way. People are capable of deciding for themselves. They will vote with tbeir dollars. It is easy to give up your freedoms but much harder to get them back.
Tamara says
AMEN!
Katie C says
Amen!
MK says
From what I’ve read, companies will be able to petition for exceptions so they can continue using it. I wonder how many loopholes there will be?
Mavis says
That’s interesting. Wouldn’t surprise me if there were loopholes.
Lisa says
One possible downside could be increased palm oil usage and all the destruction that can come with it.
Lisa says
Not to mention less options for those with lactose intolerance like me 🙁
Mavis says
I’m curious about that, too.
Katrina says
Palm oil is very good for you. Industry moved away from it because it costs more, not due to health reasons.
Kayla Pins says
A trouble with trans fats is that as long as there is less than one gram PER SERVING, it can be listed as a “trans-fats free” food. I teach my students that the ingredients label is the most important part of a package, but most people just glance at the health claims on the front. I’m definitely glad to see it go all togther!
Mavis says
Seriously? I didn’t know that! That’s crazy.
Becky says
I believe this is a very good thing. I don’t believe the body can metabolize trans fats. It’s already banned in my county in the northeast for restaurants, including fast food. It’s a step in the right direction.