Tuesday, August 13

 
The Fight over Labeling Trans Fats: FDA vs CSPI et al

Will Americans ever find out the amount of trans fatty acids in their brand-name baked goods and margarines? Just adding that one line to nutrition labels has produced a 10-year battle and a new split between the Food and Drug Administration and consumer watchdog groups such as the Center for Science in the Public Interest. CSPI says the new warning, which the FDA is closing to ruling on, doesn't say enough to warn consumers away from foods that are high in trans fats. Trans fats, you might or might not know, are fatty acids that show up especially in foods make with hydrogenated fats, like oils that have an extra hydrogen atom added to make them solid and usable in mass production. Margarines made from plant oils are one example, but you find in many commercially baked goods. Some nutritionists says trans fats are worse on the heart than the cholesterol you get from butter.
posted by Unknown 10:13 AM