Food Labels and Trans Fat

Those of us who take the time to read food labels can learn almost every necessary nutritional fact about the product we are buying. Many of us try to watch our waist-lines and cholesterol levels by paying special attention to the amount of fat we are consuming. For years we have relied on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide the nutritious-conscious shopper with the essential information all Americans can use to control their own personal nutritional needs.

Food labels include calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, vitamins and minerals. There is one important listing that is missing: trans fat. Trans fat is formed by the hydrogenation process (when hydrogen is added to liquid oils). Hydrogenation is used to make processed foods stay fresher longer. It solidifies fatty acids and increases the shelf life and flavor. Fast foods, chips, and baked goods contain up to 50% trans fatty acids. Most margarines and virtually all shortenings are made up of up to 40% of hydrogenated fats.

The amount of trans fat in a food can be determined by adding the saturated and unsaturated fat, then subtracting that number from the number of total fat. The one obstacle you may face with this formula is that manufacturers don’t have to list the unsaturated fat. Food labels must list how much saturated fat is in a product because saturated fat raises the risk of heart disease. What about trans fat? Research studies indicate that trans fat increases LDL-Cholesterol levels which then in turn increases the risk of coronary heart disease, the number one cause of death in the United States. Despite these findings, trans fat is not listed on any ingredient label.

The FDA is urging manufacturers to add trans fat to food labels, but currently it is still not required. (The FDA gives food providers until January 2006 to make trans fat data publicly available). Some food labels may boast of having no cholesterol and low saturated fats, but they still may contain trans fat. To spot a food with trans fat, look for ingredients like “partially hydrogenated oil.”

In a country where processed food is part of the daily menu of so many Americans, it is no surprise that manufacturers don’t want to add another warning to their label.