Banning Trans Fat

The Food and Drug Administration’s recent announcement that it’s going after trans fat in processed foods has many in the food industry scratching their heads in wonder, as it seems to be an unnecessary move that would set a dangerous precedent when it comes to food regulation. It’s hard now days to even find processed foods containing trans fat. It has been more than ten years since food makers reduced or removed trans fat completely from their products. Evidence shows that trans fat can be linked to coronary artery disease. Based on estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the elimination of the remaining trans fat in Americans’ diets could prevent an additional 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 additional coronary deaths per year. Partially hydrogenated oils is the primary source of trans fat in processed foods and probably no one would argue that they’re healthy, but should we really start banning instead of limiting less than healthy food ingredients? There are those that regard sugar and salt as hazardous to our health and place them in the same category as cocaine and heroine. Will they be targeted next? Better question, how can the FDA ban trans fats, yet allows tobacco products to stay on store shelves?