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FDA Tells Food Industry to Phase out Artificial Trans Fats

TheDemSocialist

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The Obama administration is cracking down on artificial trans fats, calling them a threat to public health.The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that it will require food companies to phase out the use artificial trans fats almost entirely. Consumers aren't likely to notice much of a difference in their favorite foods, but the administration says the move will to reduce coronary heart disease and prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year.
Scientists say there are no health benefits to trans fats, which are used in processing food and in restaurants, usually to improve texture, shelf life or flavor. They can raise levels of "bad" cholesterol and lower "good" cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. The fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil to make it more solid, which is why they are often called partially hydrogenated oils.
Once a staple of the American diet — think shortening and microwave popcorn — most artificial trans fats are already gone. The FDA says that between 2003 and 2012, consumer trans fat consumption decreased an estimated 78 percent as food companies have used other kinds of oils to replace them.


Read more @: FDA Tells Food Industry to Phase out Artificial Trans Fats

Trans fats have been severely reduced in many foods. Its probably the right move to phase them all the way out.
 
Read more @: FDA Tells Food Industry to Phase out Artificial Trans Fats

Trans fats have been severely reduced in many foods. Its probably the right move to phase them all the way out. [/FONT][/COLOR]

Probably the right move, but then again I have a dislike for "do something, anything" measures that are used to mask an unwillingness to confront a problem, Americans eat too much food, and most of it is junk. If we began a cultural shift towards eating more lean cuts of meat and vegetables and less processed foods it would make banning trans fats moot.

The trans fats are simply a symptom of larger problems , namely Americans would rather eat lots of cheap junk then a little nutrition, I switched my diet over recently to eating mainly steak and salads, and my grocery tab went up by a lot for less food, however I feel much better already
 
Americans eat too much food, and most of it is junk.

This.

If you're not eating, and more importantly, if you're not feeding your kids 90% clean in this day and age you're an idiot.

The whole concept of GRAS' is retarded.

There are any number of additives on the "generally recognized as safe" list that are KNOWN to be bad for human consumption.

There are numerous loopholes that allow manufacturers to use additives without even having them tested by the FDA for safety.

Numerous products that are tested for safety "by the FDA" are actually tested by labs that are hired and paid by the manufacturer that is trying to have their product listed as a GRAS.

And that says nothing about the fact that even the "real" food products (as opposed to food additives that are created in laboratories) that are used in processed foods are frequently garbage.

It's unbelievable what this stuff does to people.

I eat fast food once in a blue moon and every time I do I pay for it.

If I haven't eaten McDonalds in six months I can sit down and eat a Big Mac meal and, I'm not going to lie, it's absolutely delicious.

The next day I oversleep or wake up feeling lethargic and I've got diarrhea, indigestion, gas pain and if I've got any kind of muscle soreness to begin with it is measurably worse.

Eat fruit, vegetables, whole grains, meat (all kinds), some dairy, and drink water.

It's not rocket science and it isn't hard at all.

My life is busier than 90% of America's (I have to get up at 4:30 a.m. to go to the gym because if I don't I can't squeeze it in to my day) so the idea that the "average" American is too busy to prepare a decent home-cooked meal is absolute garbage.

Feeding your kids processed or "fast" foods more than once a week is child abuse.
 
The reason people eat all these horrible foods is because they are cheap. It's easy to say "eat fresh fruits and vegetables" but those are really expensive.

Shouldn't eat these things, I think the FDA can mandate that it's labeled clearly, but not sure about a ban.
 
This.

If you're not eating, and more importantly, if you're not feeding your kids 90% clean in this day and age you're an idiot.

The whole concept of GRAS' is retarded.

There are any number of additives on the "generally recognized as safe" list that are KNOWN to be bad for human consumption.

There are numerous loopholes that allow manufacturers to use additives without even having them tested by the FDA for safety.

Numerous products that are tested for safety "by the FDA" are actually tested by labs that are hired and paid by the manufacturer that is trying to have their product listed as a GRAS.

And that says nothing about the fact that even the "real" food products (as opposed to food additives that are created in laboratories) that are used in processed foods are frequently garbage.

It's unbelievable what this stuff does to people.

I eat fast food once in a blue moon and every time I do I pay for it.

If I haven't eaten McDonalds in six months I can sit down and eat a Big Mac meal and, I'm not going to lie, it's absolutely delicious.

The next day I oversleep or wake up feeling lethargic and I've got diarrhea, indigestion, gas pain and if I've got any kind of muscle soreness to begin with it is measurably worse.

Eat fruit, vegetables, whole grains, meat (all kinds), some dairy, and drink water.

It's not rocket science and it isn't hard at all.

My life is busier than 90% of America's (I have to get up at 4:30 a.m. to go to the gym because if I don't I can't squeeze it in to my day) so the idea that the "average" American is too busy to prepare a decent home-cooked meal is absolute garbage.

Feeding your kids processed or "fast" foods more than once a week is child abuse.

With liberty comes responsibility. We don't need the government, or you, telling us what we can or cannot eat or feed our children.
 
Yes, they have been severely reduced, and without government intervention. Imagine that. :roll:

:lamo Thats not true at all.
"n 2013, the FDA made a tentative determination that PHOs could no longer be considered GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and is finalizing that determination after considering public comments."
"Since 2006, manufacturers have been required to include trans fat content information on the Nutrition Facts label of foods."
The FDA takes step to remove artificial trans fats in processed foods

"Guidance and Regulations
Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Removing Trans Fat)
Federal Register Notice: Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils
Federal Register Notice: Comment Period Extended for Tentative Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils - Request for Comments and for Scientific Data and Information
Federal Register Notice: Tentative Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils - Request for Comments and for Scientific Data and Information
Guidance for Industry: Trans Fatty Acids in Nutrition Labeling, Nutrient Content Claims, Health Claims; Small Entity Compliance Guide
Federal Register Notice: Food Labeling - Trans (68 FR 41434)
More Guidance and Regulations"
Trans Fat
 
With liberty comes responsibility.

I agree.

And with irresponsibility comes consequences.

We don't need the government, or you, telling us what we can or cannot eat or feed our children.

You probably don't.

You probably don't need me telling you that you can't beat or have sex with your children either.

What you need is really irrelevant to me.

If you're so irresponsible that raping or poisoning your own kids is acceptable to you then clearly your kids need me or the government to stand up for them.
 
With liberty comes responsibility. We don't need the government, or you, telling us what we can or cannot eat or feed our children.

If I wanna eat contaminated food then I should have the right to! Freedom! No need for enforced recalls! Ecoli on certain foods! No need for the government telling me I cant give that to my kids!
 
:lamo Thats not true at all.
"n 2013, the FDA made a tentative determination that PHOs could no longer be considered GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and is finalizing that determination after considering public comments."
"Since 2006, manufacturers have been required to include trans fat content information on the Nutrition Facts label of foods."
The FDA takes step to remove artificial trans fats in processed foods

"Guidance and Regulations
Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Removing Trans Fat)
Federal Register Notice: Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils
Federal Register Notice: Comment Period Extended for Tentative Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils - Request for Comments and for Scientific Data and Information
Federal Register Notice: Tentative Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils - Request for Comments and for Scientific Data and Information
Guidance for Industry: Trans Fatty Acids in Nutrition Labeling, Nutrient Content Claims, Health Claims; Small Entity Compliance Guide
Federal Register Notice: Food Labeling - Trans (68 FR 41434)
More Guidance and Regulations"
Trans Fat

Requiring labeling is not the same as regulating content. But you knew that.
 
I agree.

And with irresponsibility comes consequences.



You probably don't.

You probably don't need me telling you that you can't beat or have sex with your children either.

What you need is really irrelevant to me.

If you're so irresponsible that raping or poisoning your own kids is acceptable to you then clearly your kids need me or the government to stand up for them.

Punishing all of society for the actions of the minuscule few is unacceptable. So no, we don't need government telling everyone what they can or cannot eat.
 
If I wanna eat contaminated food then I should have the right to! Freedom! No need for enforced recalls! Ecoli on certain foods! No need for the government telling me I cant give that to my kids!

Calm down, histrionics is bad for your health. :roll:
 
Punishing all of society for the actions of the minuscule few is unacceptable. So no, we don't need government telling everyone what they can or cannot eat.

I don't disagree with that.

As I said in my initial comment in this discussion, I eat this food sometimes, I allow my children to eat it at times, I have no problem with people eating it occasionally.

I do have a problem with the broken system that allows these products to find their way in to foods, and I believe that the food industry should be regulated more heavily, but I don't have a problem with individuals occasionally eating something that tastes awesome even though they know to be "bad" for them.

I also have a problem with people who eat these foods excessively and, worse, who feed this garbage to their children regularly.
 
I don't disagree with that.

As I said in my initial comment in this discussion, I eat this food sometimes, I allow my children to eat it at times, I have no problem with people eating it occasionally.

I do have a problem with the broken system that allows these products to find their way in to foods, and I believe that the food industry should be regulated more heavily, but I don't have a problem with individuals occasionally eating something that tastes awesome even though they know to be "bad" for them.

I also have a problem with people who eat these foods excessively and, worse, who feed this garbage to their children regularly.

It's definitely a problem, I just no longer trust the government to do anything right.

I think we both want the same thing, we just have a mild disagreement on how to accomplish this. I favor education, but you will always have a segment of the populace that just doesn't care, unfortunately.

You're right about the occasional Big Mac being delicious. :D
 
Requiring labeling is not the same as regulating content. But you knew that.
What? :doh Government requiring certain industries to put labels on products isnt regulations? So cigarette companies having to put "anti smoking" labels on their products isnt regulation? Drug companies having to put warning labels, side effects labels, isnt regulation? Are you kidding me? That's a huge way to regulate content.
 
What? :doh Government requiring certain industries to put labels on products isnt regulations? So cigarette companies having to put "anti smoking" labels on their products isnt regulation? Drug companies having to put warning labels, side effects labels, isnt regulation? Are you kidding me? That's a huge way to regulate content.

Dude, do you have a problem with reading comprehension? I said, requiring labeling is not the same as regulating content. The government isn't currently telling manufacturers they must limit trans-fat content. Are you incapable of having a rational discussion?

Trans-fat content has been reduced not because of labeling, but because of public demand.
 
What? :doh Government requiring certain industries to put labels on products isnt regulations? So cigarette companies having to put "anti smoking" labels on their products isnt regulation? Drug companies having to put warning labels, side effects labels, isnt regulation? Are you kidding me? That's a huge way to regulate content.

Content. Regulating content.
 
"Trans fats won’t be completely gone. They occur naturally in meat and dairy products, and are produced at very low levels in some edible oils during the manufacturing process, the F.D.A. said. And companies will be able to petition the F.D.A. for specific uses of certain partially hydrogenated oils."

Awesome, companies can ask the government for permission. Hip hip bureaucracy. Hip hip bureaucracy.
 
Dude, do you have a problem with reading comprehension? I said, requiring labeling is not the same as regulating content. The government isn't currently telling manufacturers they must limit trans-fat content. Are you incapable of having a rational discussion?
Content. Regulating content.

Mandatory labeling isnt labeling content? The package is part of the product.

Trans-fat content has been reduced not because of labeling, but because of public demand.
And how do they find out about the trans fats in products? By mandatory labeling.......
 
Mandatory labeling isnt labeling content? The package is part of the product.

No, requiring labeling is not regulating what goes into a product. The packing is not part of the product, unless you eat the packaging. Maybe you're doing it wrong. :shrug:

And how do they find out about the trans fats in products? By mandatory labeling.......

I'll concede that perhaps labeling contributes to public demand. I just find it difficult to believe that, unless a person has been under a rock for the last couple of decades, they were unaware that hydrogenated oils=trans-fat. I doubt people that actually were unaware, read labels anyways.
 
Read more @: FDA Tells Food Industry to Phase out Artificial Trans Fats

Trans fats have been severely reduced in many foods. Its probably the right move to phase them all the way out. [/FONT][/COLOR]
This is all rather silly. The real answer is for the Government to employ "Food allocation and delivery". No more need to make choices for your food, Government mandated regimens will ensure all Americans eat a government approved meal and no one, no child no person goes hungry. Instead of a small minority sucking vast resources, the government should, for a better, healthier America bring to each household a weekly food ration. It will be packed with fresh foods, prepackaged, easy to cook meals with instruction in 42 different languages.

This will make sure there is little waste, and all are eating the right way. Truly, this is the only way to make sure all Americans are eating properly. Anything less is obvious to enrich "Big Food" at cost of the children.
 
No, requiring labeling is not regulating what goes into a product. The packing is not part of the product, unless you eat the packaging. Maybe you're doing it wrong. :shrug:
I know. However its still a regulation, and combined with the FDA's message of wanting to limit trans fats in foods, and the public awareness of trans fats and their side effects, you add mandatory labeling.... Usually leads to education, and makes it a lot easier to boycott products based on the amount of trans fats in foods.


I'll concede that perhaps labeling contributes to public demand. I just find it difficult to believe that, unless a person has been under a rock for the last couple of decades, they were unaware that hydrogenated oils=trans-fat. I doubt people that actually were unaware, read labels anyways.
Well...
"More than half of consumers in the United States often read the food label when buying a product for the first time. These consumers are also increasingly aware of the link between diet and heart disease.... Consumers' awareness that trans fats in the diet may raise the risk of heart disease nearly doubled over just four years, from 32 percent in 2004 to 62 percent." Survey Shows Gains in Food-Label Use, Health/Diet Awareness

"When purchasing packaged food, how often do you check the nutrition labeling on the package?
Frequently......................................... 58
Occasionally ..................................... 20
Rarely ............................................... 9
Never................................................ 13
Not sure.......................................... -
Total Frequently/Occasionally....... 79
Total Rarely/Never .......................... 21" http://surveys.ap.org/data/Ipsos/national/2006/2006-06-02 FOOD LABELING PACKAGING STUDY.pdf
 
This is all rather silly. The real answer is for the Government to employ "Food allocation and delivery". No more need to make choices for your food, Government mandated regimens will ensure all Americans eat a government approved meal and no one, no child no person goes hungry. Instead of a small minority sucking vast resources, the government should, for a better, healthier America bring to each household a weekly food ration. It will be packed with fresh foods, prepackaged, easy to cook meals with instruction in 42 different languages.

This will make sure there is little waste, and all are eating the right way. Truly, this is the only way to make sure all Americans are eating properly. Anything less is obvious to enrich "Big Food" at cost of the children.
Bit of a drastic policy proposal
 
I know. However its still a regulation, and combined with the FDA's message of wanting to limit trans fats in foods, and the public awareness of trans fats and their side effects, you add mandatory labeling.... Usually leads to education, and makes it a lot easier to boycott products based on the amount of trans fats in foods.



Well...
"More than half of consumers in the United States often read the food label when buying a product for the first time. These consumers are also increasingly aware of the link between diet and heart disease.... Consumers' awareness that trans fats in the diet may raise the risk of heart disease nearly doubled over just four years, from 32 percent in 2004 to 62 percent." Survey Shows Gains in Food-Label Use, Health/Diet Awareness

"When purchasing packaged food, how often do you check the nutrition labeling on the package?
Frequently......................................... 58
Occasionally ..................................... 20
Rarely ............................................... 9
Never................................................ 13
Not sure.......................................... -
Total Frequently/Occasionally....... 79
Total Rarely/Never .......................... 21" http://surveys.ap.org/data/Ipsos/national/2006/2006-06-02 FOOD LABELING PACKAGING STUDY.pdf

That's all well and good, but that still leaves an awful lot of people who don't read labels.
 
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