What’s New with the Nutrition Facts Label: A Look at Trans Fats

Contributed by: Laura Leone, Pharm.D.

Community Pharmacy Resident

Text Box: As of January, 1, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring food companies to list trans fat content separately on the Nutrition Facts panel of all packaged foods. Under this rule, consumers will now be able to see how much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are in the foods they choose. As companies comply with the new labeling regulations, consumers will see nutrition labels listing any measurable amount (at least 0.5 gram per serving) of trans fat on a separate line. This listing can be found in the total fat section underneath the saturated fat content. However, no Percent Daily Value (% DV) for trans fat is shown because there are no clear recommendations regarding the amount of trans fat that should be consumed in a normal healthy diet. It is important to note that the FDA has extended the trans fat deadline for those companies who seek a petition for the labeling requirements. Therefore, consumers should be aware that just because they do not see trans fat on the label of the product does not mean that the product is trans fat free. What is trans fat? Trans fat, also called trans fatty acids, is formed when liquid vegetable oils go through a chemical process called hydrogenation, in which hydrogen is added to make the oils more solid. Hydrogenated vegetable fats are used by food processors because they allow longer shelf-life and give food desirable taste, shape, and texture. Consumers can know if a food contains trans fat by also looking at the ingredient list on the food label. If the ingredient list includes the words shortening, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or hydrogenated vegetable oil the food contains trans fat. Because ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance, smaller amounts are present when the ingredient is close to the end of the list.

Text Box: In what foods can I find trans fats? The majority of trans fat can be found in shortenings, stick (or hard) margarine, cookies, crackers, snack foods, fried foods (including fried fast food), doughnuts, pastries, baked goods, salad dressings and other processed foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Some trans fat is found naturally in small amounts in various meat and dairy products. What impact do trans fats have on my health? Evidence suggests that consumption of trans fat raises LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and lowers HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. This will cause the arteries to become clogged and increasing the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Today coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Are all fats bad for you? NO. There are good fats and bad ones. Saturated fats and trans fat have bad effects on cholesterol levels while polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats have good effects. Saturated fat is found in foods from animal sources and in a few plants. Foods high in saturated fat include fatty beef, veal, lamb, pork, lard, poultry fat, butter, cream, milk, cheese and other dairy products made from whole milk. These foods also contain dietary cholesterol. Foods from plants high in saturated fat include coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil (often called tropical oils), and cocoa butter. On average, Americans consume approximately four to five times as much saturated fat as trans fat in their diet. Polyunsaturated fats are found primarily in oils from plants, including safflower, sesame and sunflower seeds, corn and soybean, as well as fatty fish such as salmon. Sources of monounsaturated fats

Text Box: include canola, olive and peanut oils, and avocados. Saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol raise LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats do not raise LDL cholesterol and are beneficial when consumed in moderation. The intake of trans fat as well as saturated fat and cholesterol should be as low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet. It is very important to read nutrition labels because they provide valuable information. As an informed consumer, you are able to make better, healthier choices. For more information or help, please contact your pharmacist, physician, dietitian, or other health care professional. Some useful websites regarding trans fats and food labels are: www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/transfat/q_a.html www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/