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Trans fatty acids (commonly termed Trans Fats) are one of the four broad types of fats found in foods (along with Monounsaturated fat, Polyunsaturated fat and Saturated fat.) Trans fat is an unsaturated fatty acid whose molecules contain trans double bonds between carbon atoms, which makes the molecules less kinked compared with those of 'cis fat'.
Food presence
Trans fats occur naturally in the milk and body fat of ruminants (such as cows and sheep) at a level of 2-5% of total fat They originate in the rumens of these animals. Animal-based fats were once the only trans fats consumed. By far the largest amount of trans fats consumed today are plant-based trans fats (made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil) that have displaced natural solid fats and liquid oils in many areas, notably in the fast food, snack food, fried food and baked good industries. Vegetable shortenings are primarily trans fats packaged for home use, and some margarines contain a large proportion of them. Foods containing artificial trans fats formed by partially hydrogenating plant fats may contain up to 45% trans fat compared to their total fat [http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/gras-trans-fats/tf-ge/tf-gt_rep-rap_e.html.
Benefits of hydrogenating plant-based fats for food manufacturers include an increased product shelf life and decreased refrigeration requirement. Partial hydrogenation raises the melting point of fat, producing a semi-solid material, which is much more desirable than liquid oils for use in baking. Plant-based hydrogenated vegetable oils are much less expensive than the animal fats traditionally favored by bakers, such as butter or lard.
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Food Additives :: Food, Drink and Nutrition
Unsurprisingly, government disappoints again - Trans fats rules rejected as burden on food industry http://t.co/L8ImAjRr
ActiveChaCha (Chantal Lalonde) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:21:50 -0000
Unsurprisingly, government disappoints again - Trans fats rules rejected as burden on food industry http://t.co/L8ImAjRr
RT @CBCPolitics: Trans fats rules rejected as burden on food industry http://t.co/CUAOiN6n #cdnpoli
ChantalLealess (Chantal Lealess) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:19:57 -0000
RT @CBCPolitics: Trans fats rules rejected as burden on food industry http://t.co/CUAOiN6n #cdnpoli
what works better - positive labeling (buy me, i'm healthy!) or negative labeling (this
American Heart Association -Trans Fatty Acids, Butter and Margarine - Reports on recent studies that show potential cholesterol-raising effects of trans fatty acids have raised public concern about the use of margarine and whether other options, including butter, might be better choices.
Meta Description: [ Effective Jan. 1, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food companies to list trans fat content separately on the Nutrition Facts panel of all packaged foods. ]
Ban Trans Fats - Advocacy site urging the banning of trans fatty acids. Contains consumer and product news and information on trans fats.
ConsumerReports - The Stealth Fat - Article describing the prevalence of trans fats in packaged foods, the controversy over labeling trans fat content, and buying recommendations.
Meta Description: [ Expert consumer advice and recommendations on trans fat 3/03. ]
In the Matter of Food Labeling: Trans Fatty Acids in Nutrition Labeling, Nutrient Content Claims and Health Claims; Reopening of the Comment Period - Report to the FDA featuring background information and scientific evidence on trans fatty acids.
Institute of Food Science and Technology - Trans Fatty Acids - Position paper explaining the sources of trans fatty acids, their links to coronary heart disease, and recommendations.
Nutrition Action Healthletter - Trans Fat - Article provide consumers with recommendations for avoiding trans fats when eating out.
Questions and Answers on Trans Fat Proposed Rule - 1999 FDA report explaining the composition of trans fats and proposed label standards.
Revealing Trans Fats - FDA consumer article provides awareness of the risk posed by consuming too much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.
Meta Description: [ Revealing Trans Fats ]
Trans Fatty Acids and Coronary Heart Disease - Havard University School of Publich Health provides a scientific overview of trans fats produced through partial hydrogenation, the process of heating vegetable oils in the presence of metal catalysts and hydrogen.
Meta Description: [ Trans Fatty Acids and Coronary Heart Disease, Background and Scientific Review, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health ]
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Transforming Perceptions About Trans Fatty Acids - Article examining adverse health claims made against the trans fats used to replace saturated fats in prepared foods.
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