Policy Wise

We have previously discussed the ban on trans fats on this blog. Since the New York ban, other cities have moved towards banning trans fats and even some corporations have voluntarily offered to remove trans fats from their food. But are the alternatives any healthier?

“Right now the public has to be very careful … if something says ‘trans fat-free,’ what else is in it?” warns Dr. Robert Eckel, past president of the American Heart Association.

The irony: Americans eat about five times more saturated fat than trans fat. And while gram-for-gram, trans fat is considered somewhat more harmful than its cousin, too much of either greatly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other ailments.[link]

The key trade off here is taste. While the companies are prepared to give up the use of trans fats, they are woried that changing the taste too much would result in a loss of customers. Perhaps, the best alternative is simply to give up eating certain foods.