I’m pleased that the FDA has chosen to require including trans fat on food labels. Trans fat &mdash “about as bad as bad gets” — is the kind of fat that is processed so that it will stay solid at room temperature:
Trans fat is very effective in keeping cakes moist, cookies fresh and crunchy, and crackers crisp. It is also one of the worst things you can eat! According to many nutrition experts — and now a long-awaited federal report from the National Academy of Sciences�trans fat in food is about as bad as bad gets.
So, it looks like the FDA will require trans fat on labels by “FY 2003”.
A National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS’) Institute of Medicine report confirming that trans fatty acids contribute to heart disease and obesity has prompted the FDA to hasten efforts to require trans fat on food labels by the end of fiscal year 2003, according to an FDA official. The long-anticipated July 10 report — which likely will form the backbone of FDA’s trans fat labeling policy — concluded that there is no safe level of trans fat in a diet and urged consumers to minimize its consumption.
(See also this MetaFilter thread on trans fatty acids)
I understood that trans fatty acid labelling will not be required until 2006. Which is correct 2003 or 2006? In any case what can one do until foods are labeled. My cholesterol lever exceeded 300 until the doctor put me on both Zocor and Zetia. I would like to monitor my levels without drugs.
Trans fat labeling will be required by 2006. It was the ruling on trans fat that was expected in 2003 (and, indeed, was earlier this week). See also this more recent entry.
A subsequent switch to Lipitor has drastically reduced my bad cholesterol. Neither Zocor nor Zetia came close without reducing my fat intake sharpley.