09.01.03
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Washington, D.C., is now requiring that food labels list the amount of unhealthy trans fatty acids, or trans fats, to give consumers better information when choosing their foods. The new requirement through FDA will mean that manufacturers of most conventional foods and some dietary supplements will have to list in the Nutrition Facts panel the trans fat content of the product, in addition to the information about its overall fat and saturated fat content. The additional information will give consumers a more complete picture of fat content in food—allowing them to choose foods low in trans fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, all of which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Reducing the intake of trans fat and saturated fats is recommended by the Federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Under the new FDA regulations, by January 1, 2006, consumers will be able to find trans fat listed on food nutrition labels directly under the line for saturated fat. The new information is the first significant change on the Nutritional Facts panel since it was established in 1993.