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11-06-2006, 02:06 AM
| #1 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 150
  |  Trans fats, false advertising
This might seem like a strange question, but I'm going to ask it anyway... My wife and I were at the store today and were trying to find a "healthy" butter spread without buying actual butter. I looked at several different brands that were labeled "zero trans fats" on the front of the package, and the nutrition label indicated 0% trans fats, yet the ingredient list showed hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. My understanding is that anything hydrogenated contains trans fats. Am I correct? And if so, how can these food companies advertise zero trans fats on the package? Does anyone have some insight on this? Gemini4X PS. In case you're wondering, we're trying to eliminate all white flour, sugar, hydrogenated oils, aspartame (and other chemical sweeteners), and high fructose corn syrup from our diets.  |
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11-06-2006, 02:31 AM
| #2 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Logan, UT
Posts: 357
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It's simple: "trans fats" don't exist... The technical term is "trans-fatty acids," so even if a product has some trans-fatty acids in it, technically it doesn't have any of the fictional trans fats. 
__________________ People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves. --Salma Hayek My blog: Adam's Peace |
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11-06-2006, 03:40 AM
| #4 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NC
Posts: 154
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Gemini4X (hey, that's my sign except for the 4X) - The FDA allows a certain amount of trans-ahem!-fatty acids in foods that are labeled 0-trans-fat. I think the maximum is 1/2 g, but you may want to corroborate that. At any rate, look at the ingredient list and believe that over the goofy-looking label.
__________________ Every thing is always in sync, even if it doesn't seem like it. I find I can tell that my spiritual side is working well when I notice the synchronicities everywhere! -- Court |
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11-07-2006, 01:09 AM
| #5 (permalink) |
| Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 7
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As the poster before me said, if a food has less than 0.5g of any item listed, it is allowed to say zero trans fat (this gives some slack due to manufacturing process remnants). What this means for you is that food companies have effective hidden trans fats by decreasing the serving size to hide the trans fats. They are then allowed to claim "zero trans fats". So, you are doing the right thing by looking for partially hydrogenated plant oils on the label. It is best to avoid trans fatty acids completly! Here are a few resources that I have found along my path: Food Labels -- Nutrition information and misinformation (Page 3 of 3) Trans Fats - What are Trans Fats or Hydrogenated Fats? Revealing Trans Fats Healthy Person: 10 Worst Trans Fat Foods Ban Trans Fats: The Campaign to Ban Partially Hydrogenated Oils Trans Fatty Acids and Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health Hope that helps and stay healthy! |
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11-07-2006, 12:40 PM
| #6 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 150
| Quote:
I guess "trans fats" really do exist... Even the FDA refers to them that way. Gemini4X | |
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