FitSugar

NYC Trans Fat Ban in Full Effect Today

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:00:00 PDT

If you live in the Big Apple or plan to visit there in the near future, you'll be happy to know that the trans fat ban will be in full effect by today, July 1. Exactly a year ago, all restaurants were required to eliminate trans fat from their cooking oils, margarines, and shortenings. This second deadline states that all prepared foods from restaurants, bakeries, cafeterias, salad bars, and food carts must contain less than .5 grams of trans fat per serving. Yep, by some FDA loophole, foods containing .5 grams can be labeled trans fat free. These various eateries do have a three-month grace period to comply with the trans fat ban; after that they can expect some hefty fines. Unfortunately, prepackaged foods sold in the manufacturer's original packaging at these restaurants, bakeries, etc. (like outsourced prepackaged salad dressing) are exempt from the ban. If so you'll still need to check labels on those foods.

If you frequent a fast food joint, here's what you can expect:

Dunkin' Donuts: Switched to a blend of palm, soybean, and cottonseed oil.
McDonald's: Eliminated cooking in trans fat oil last year. Now their cookies and apple pies are trans fat free too.
Burger King: In NYC chains, their fries, apple pies, and biscuits are trans fat free.

What can you expect from other chains? To find out

read more. KFC: Ditched trans fat and recently removed it from their pot pie and biscuits. Pizza Hut: Removed trans fat from the one style on pizza that contained it. Boston Market: In NYC, they're testing a trans fat free version of their chicken pot pie. I'm really psyched for NYC (actually jealous), that this ban has taken into effect, but I wish these chains would ditch trans fat in other cities as well. Don't you? Source

The Skinny On: Natural Trans Fats

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 02:30:00 PDT

Fat. It keeps us full. It flavors our food. It gives us energy. It also clogs our arteries and raises our cholesterol levels. While some fats are better than others, others are just plain bad for you - like trans fats.

Trans fats are generally formed when liquid vegetable oils go through a chemical process called hydrogenation. Hydrogen is added to oils to make them more solid and food processors love to use them to extend the shelf life of food, as well as to better taste and texture. Not all trans fats are manufactured though, some do occur naturally, in small amounts. They can be found in some meat, a quarter pound of ground beef has 1.33 grams of trans fat, and one cup of milk has .24 grams.

Fear not New Yorkers, the city is only banning artificial trans fats, so you will still be able to eat cheeseburgers in the Big Apple. The truth is, the majority of Americans eat more artificial trans fat than the naturally occurring kind,

The FDA, however, has a different take, and they group all trans fats, be they artificially or naturally occurring, all the same. In 2006, the FDA began requiring manufacturers to list on their products if they contain a half a gram or more of trans fat per serving. The amount must be included on the food label and the food can’t be called trans fat-free, even if butter (naturally occurring) is the only fat. Another reason to read ingredients carefully.

Want to know about trans fat and Starbucks? Then

read more Interestingly enough, the FDA label rule does not apply to foods overseen by the US Department of Agriculture, namely meat and poultry. That is why you will not see the amount of trans fat listed on the ground beef you pick up at the grocery. Starbucks is taking a slightly different route than NYC and asking all their bakers to remove all but .5 grams of trans fat, artificial or otherwise, from their baked goods. The company feels that "trans fat free" reads better than "artificial trans fat free" - guess they think we consumers can only handle three word descriptions of our food. Bakers are reworking recipes that use butter to ensure their pastries have under a half a gram of trans fat to satisfy the new requirement. Many large scale bakeries are on the hunt for trans fat free margarine.

Starbucks: Trans Fat Free

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 19:47:40 PST

Seattle's very own specialty coffee powerhouse is going trans fat free in 10 states starting Wednesday.

Starbucks has announced they will be cutting trans fats from the doughnuts, muffins and other treats in half of its U.S. stores. The other half of the stores will follow suit eventually but it will take some time, as the company adjusts recipes with regional bakers and food suppliers. Apparently the decision has nothing to do with the recent trend in banning trans fats in NYC, theme parks and fast food joints, Starbucks says they've been working on getting rid of the trans fat for over two years now.

Now if they could only be a little more upfront about how brutally high in calories the seasonal drinks can be. Or how about lowering the prices a little?

I guess we can't always have it all, but this is a great start.

Which City Should be Next?

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:35:00 PST

Based on the recent ban of trans fat in NYC, which city do you think should be next?