As of June 18, 2018, trans fats have been officially prohibited in the United States.

This long-awaited and highly important move by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been praised by health experts, as trans fats have been linked to a variety of serious health problems.

What are Trans Fats?

Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat that are commonly found in processed foods such as baked goods, fried foods, and snack foods.

They are created when hydrogen is added to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid and stable at room temperature.

While trans fats occur naturally in small amounts in some animal products such as meat and dairy, most of the trans fats in our diets come from processed foods made with partially hydrogenated oils.

Why are Trans Fats Harmful?

According to the FDA, trans fats are “not safe for human consumption.” They have been linked to a variety of health problems, including:.

Increasing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels
Lowering HDL (good) cholesterol levels
Increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
Increasing inflammation in the body
Impairing neurological development in fetuses and children

The History of the Trans Fat Ban

The movement to ban trans fats began in the early 2000s, when research began to link trans fats to serious health problems. In 2006, the FDA began requiring food manufacturers to list trans fats on nutrition labels.

Over the years, the FDA has taken a variety of steps to limit the use of trans fats in food.

In 2015, the agency determined that trans fats were no longer “generally recognized as safe” and gave food manufacturers three years to remove them from their products.

The June 18, 2018 deadline marked the end of the three-year grace period, making it illegal for food manufacturers to sell products containing partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary source of artificial trans fats in food.

The Impact of the Trans Fat Ban

The trans fat ban is expected to have a significant impact on public health. According to the FDA, the ban could prevent an estimated 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths from heart disease each year.

What Foods are Affected by the Ban?

The trans fat ban applies to all foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), which includes many types of processed foods. Some of the most commonly affected foods include:.

Baked goods such as cookies, cakes, and pies
Fried foods such as french fries and fried chicken
Microwave popcorn
Margarine and vegetable shortening
Coffee creamers
Non-dairy creamers

How to Avoid Trans Fats

The best way to avoid trans fats is to eat a diet that relies on whole, unprocessed foods. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts are all great options.

When choosing packaged foods, it is important to read labels carefully and look for products that do not contain PHOs or trans fats.

Foods labeled “trans fat free” may still contain small amounts of trans fats, so be sure to check the ingredient list for partially hydrogenated oils.

The Bottom Line

The trans fat ban is a major step forward in improving public health and reducing the risk of heart disease and other serious health problems.

However, it is important to remember that a diet based on whole, unprocessed foods is still the best way to protect your health.

By making simple changes to your diet and choosing healthy, whole foods, you can help protect yourself from the harmful effects of trans fats and other unhealthy ingredients found in processed foods.