Physical Wellness

US to Ban Trans Fats

By Kamal Nayan | Update Date: Nov 08, 2013 07:25 AM EST

It appears that trans fats will soon be a history in the U.S. Government authorities recently announced the trans fats threaten people’s health, and food makers should avoid using it.

According to Food and Drug Administration the ban on trans fats is going to prevent 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths per year.

Previously when hydrogenation process was discovered, the trans fats were considered harmless. Later, its negative effects were known and its usage reduced subsequently.

Research also suggests that consumption of trans fats can lead to coronary artery disease.

“There is nothing to gain nutritionally from using trans fats,” said Dharma Kodali, co-author of the book “Trans Fats Alternative”, according to Washington Times. He is also an agricultural engineering professor at the University of Minnesota.

“While consumption of potentially harmful artificial trans fat has declined over the last two decades in the United States, current intake remains a significant public health concern,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg in an official statement, according to Washington Post. “The FDA’s action today is an important step toward protecting more Americans from the potential dangers of trans fat. Further reduction in the amount of trans fat in the American diet could prevent an additional 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths from heart disease each year — a critical step in the protection of Americans’ health.”

Seven years back, FDA required the food companies to include the amount of trans fact listed on the nutrition fact list on each and every product. Though elimination of trans fats wont make any considerable change to the taste of the food.

“Six months or a year should be more than enough time, especially considering that companies have had a decade to figure out what to do,” said Michael Jacobson, the organization’s executive director, according to Washington Times.

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