The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in 2013 that they will be taking steps to phase out trans fats in the food industry.

Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat that are often used in processed foods to increase shelf life and improve texture. However, they have been found to raise levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of good cholesterol (HDL), which can increase the risk of heart disease.

Why are Trans Fats Harmful to Our Health?

Trans fats have been shown to raise levels of LDL cholesterol, which can contribute to the build-up of plaque in arteries. This build-up can eventually lead to heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

Additionally, trans fats have been shown to lower levels of HDL cholesterol, which is the good kind of cholesterol that helps remove LDL from the blood.

Unlike other types of fat, trans fats are not essential to our health and are not needed in our diet. In fact, the Institute of Medicine has recommended that trans fats make up no more than 1% of an individual’s daily calorie intake.

Which Foods Contain Trans Fats?

Trans fats are commonly found in processed foods such as baked goods, snack foods, and fried foods. Some common examples include:.

Crackers
Cookies
Doughnuts
Pastries
Pie crusts
Cake mixes
Margarine and vegetable shortening
Fried fast foods such as french fries and chicken nuggets

What is the FDA Doing?

In 2013, the FDA made the determination that trans fats are no longer generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in human food.

This means that manufacturers will no longer be allowed to use partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), which are the primary source of trans fats in processed foods, without prior FDA approval.

The FDA has given manufacturers until June 18, 2018, to either reformulate their products to remove PHOs or to petition the agency for permission to use them.

Any petition for approval must provide scientific evidence that the use of PHOs is safe for human consumption.

What are the Benefits of Removing Trans Fats from Our Food?

By phasing out trans fats, the FDA estimates that there could be up to 20,000 fewer heart attacks and 7,000 fewer deaths from heart disease each year. This could result in significant cost savings for individuals and the healthcare system as a whole.

Additionally, removing trans fats from our food could lead to an overall improvement in the health of the population.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the elimination of trans fats in New York City’s restaurant food supply decreased the average blood cholesterol level by 6%, which could translate to a 4.5% decrease in heart attacks and strokes.

What Can We Do to Avoid Trans Fats?

The best way to avoid trans fats is to read food labels carefully.

Look for foods that are labeled as “trans fat-free” or “contains no partially hydrogenated oils.” Additionally, try to choose whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

When consuming processed foods, opt for those that are made with healthy oils such as olive oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil instead of partially hydrogenated oils or trans fats.

Limit your intake of fried foods and baked goods, which are common sources of trans fats, and choose healthier cooking methods such as roasting, grilling, or steaming instead.