Tell the FDA: If it has hydrogenated oil it HAS trans fats

Trans fat is created when food manufacturers make liquid vegetable oils solid by adding hydrogen (hence the name hydrogenated oil). Unfortunately, this process changes the natural structure of the oil, making it harmful to our bodies. A wealth of research has shown that consuming trans fat significantly increases your risk of cardiovascular disease by raising your total and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), and possibly decreasing your HDL cholesterol (the good kind). Eating trans fat-loaded foods also increases belly fat, a sign of metabolic syndrome.

So how can labels promise 0 grams trans fat when the food has hydrogenated oils? The reason lies in the rules set forth by the FDA. When a product contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, the number on the nutrition label can be rounded down to zero. But this doesn't make the product free of trans fat. If you eat just one serving, even the FDA would have to admit you%u2019re consuming trans fat.

Trans fat is created when food manufacturers make liquid vegetable oils solid by adding hydrogen (hence the name hydrogenated oil). Unfortunately, this process changes the natural structure of the oil, making it harmful to our bodies. A wealth of research has shown that consuming trans fat significantly increases your risk of cardiovascular disease by raising your total and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), and possibly decreasing your HDL cholesterol (the good kind). Eating trans fat-loaded foods also increases belly fat, a sign of metabolic syndrome.

So how can labels promise 0 grams trans fat when the food has hydrogenated oils? The reason lies in the rules set forth by the FDA. When a product contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, the number on the nutrition label can be rounded down to zero. But this doesn't make the product free of trans fat. If you eat just one serving, even the FDA would have to admit you%u2019re consuming trans fat.

Trans fat is created when food manufacturers make liquid vegetable oils solid by adding hydrogen (hence the name hydrogenated oil). Unfortunately, this process changes the natural structure of the oil, making it harmful to our bodies. A wealth of research has shown that consuming trans fat significantly increases your risk of cardiovascular disease by raising your total and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), and possibly decreasing your HDL cholesterol (the good kind). Eating trans fat-loaded foods also increases belly fat, a sign of metabolic syndrome.

So how can labels promise %u201C0 grams trans fat%u201D when the food has hydrogenated oils? The reason lies in the rules set forth by the FDA. When a product contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, the number on the nutrition label can be rounded down to zero. But this doesn%u2019t make the product free of trans fat. That half gram per serving is still there. If you eat just one serving, even the FDA would have to admit you%u2019re consuming trans fat. Couple that little sleight of hand with the fact that most Americans routinely eat more than the suggested serving size, and you%u2019ve got two important reasons to choose your foods wisely.

Please change your rules to require showing 1g of trans fats whenever less than 1g is present.