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| US moves to ban trans fats in foods | US moves to ban trans fats in foods |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US food safety officials have taken steps to ban the use of trans fats, saying they are a threat to health. | US food safety officials have taken steps to ban the use of trans fats, saying they are a threat to health. |
| Trans fats, also known as partially hydrogenated oils, are no longer "generally recognised as safe", said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). | |
| The regulator said a ban could prevent 7,000 deaths and 20,000 heart attacks in the US each year. | The regulator said a ban could prevent 7,000 deaths and 20,000 heart attacks in the US each year. |
| The FDA is opening a 60-day consultation period on the plan, which would gradually phase out trans fats. | The FDA is opening a 60-day consultation period on the plan, which would gradually phase out trans fats. |
| "While consumption of potentially harmful artificial trans fat has declined over the last two decades in the United States, current intake remains a significant public health concern," FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a statement. | "While consumption of potentially harmful artificial trans fat has declined over the last two decades in the United States, current intake remains a significant public health concern," FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a statement. |
| "The FDA's action today is an important step toward protecting more Americans from the potential dangers of trans fat." | "The FDA's action today is an important step toward protecting more Americans from the potential dangers of trans fat." |
| 'Industrially produced ingredient' | 'Industrially produced ingredient' |
| If the agency's plan is successful, the heart-clogging oils would be considered food additives and could not be used in food unless officially approved. | If the agency's plan is successful, the heart-clogging oils would be considered food additives and could not be used in food unless officially approved. |
| The ruling does not affect foods with naturally occurring trans fats, which are present in small amounts in certain meat and dairy products. | The ruling does not affect foods with naturally occurring trans fats, which are present in small amounts in certain meat and dairy products. |
| Artificial trans fats are used both in processed food and in restaurants as a way to improve the shelf life or flavour of foods. The fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil, making it a solid. | Artificial trans fats are used both in processed food and in restaurants as a way to improve the shelf life or flavour of foods. The fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil, making it a solid. |
| Nutritionists have long criticised their use, saying they contribute to heart disease more than saturated fat. | Nutritionists have long criticised their use, saying they contribute to heart disease more than saturated fat. |
| Some companies have already phased out trans fats, prompted by new nutritional labels introduced in 2006 requiring it to be listed on food packaging. | |
| New York City and some other local governments have also banned it. | New York City and some other local governments have also banned it. |
| But trans fats persist primarily in processed foods - including some microwave popcorns and frozen pizzas - and in restaurants that use the oils for frying. | But trans fats persist primarily in processed foods - including some microwave popcorns and frozen pizzas - and in restaurants that use the oils for frying. |
| According to the FDA, trans fat intake among Americans declined from 4.6g per day in 2003 to around 1g per day in 2012. | According to the FDA, trans fat intake among Americans declined from 4.6g per day in 2003 to around 1g per day in 2012. |
| The American Heart Association said the FDA's proposal was a step forward in the battle against heart disease. | The American Heart Association said the FDA's proposal was a step forward in the battle against heart disease. |
| "We commend the FDA for responding to the numerous concerns and evidence submitted over the years about the dangers of this industrially produced ingredient," said its chief executive, Nancy Brown. | "We commend the FDA for responding to the numerous concerns and evidence submitted over the years about the dangers of this industrially produced ingredient," said its chief executive, Nancy Brown. |
| Outgoing New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who led the charge to ban trans fats in that city, said the FDA plan "deserves great credit". | Outgoing New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who led the charge to ban trans fats in that city, said the FDA plan "deserves great credit". |
| "The groundbreaking public health policies we have adopted here in New York City have become a model for the nation for one reason: they've worked," he said. | "The groundbreaking public health policies we have adopted here in New York City have become a model for the nation for one reason: they've worked," he said. |