Requires Trans Fat to be Listed on the Label

Comment:

The FDA has announced a change to the Nutrition Facts label, the first label change since 1993. The new rule requires manufacturers to list the amount of trans fat on a separate line, which will appear directly below saturated fat on the label. Trans fat is a result of food processing and tends to raise blood cholesterol levels. Trans fat is formed when oils are processed into harder fats such as margarine or shortening. Processed foods containing trans fat include french fries, donuts, cookies, candies, crackers, baked goods and most snack-type foods. Trans fat has no known health benefits and its consumption should be as low as possible.

Information about trans fat is found on page 54 of Nutrition Logic: Food First, Supplements Second. To keep consumption of trans fat as low as possible choose heart healthy fats such as fish, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

Excellent information, in a question and answer format, can be found at the FDA website, http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qatrans2.html#s3q5