The FDA Cuts Trans Fat in Processed Foods

by | Jul 20, 2015 | Ice Cream Consulting

You’ve seen Trans Fat listed on ice cream labels, sometime 0% or blank space following the word and sometimes not. If a percentage number does follow trans fat, then what is the source, where’s it coming from?

Understand the fats:

  1. Trans Fat or “trans-unsaturated fatty acids” occur naturally in dairy.
  2. Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are industrially produced and can found in products like baked goods, icing, fried product, margarine etc.and part of the Fed’s NO NO list, with instruction to food producers to be gone in processed foods within 3 years.
  3. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are the two unsaturated fats, mainly found in fish.
  4. Saturated Fats are majority of saturated fat coming from animal products such as beef, lamb, pork poultry with skin, butter, cream, cheese and other dairy products made from whole or 2 percent milk.

The American Heart Association position on trans fat, stop consuming, because it’s one of the leading contributors in coronary heart disease.

So why do some companies use trans fat?

Basically, cost. Trans fats are inexpensive to produce, easy to use, can provide a smooth texture to products and last a long time.

How do trans fats get into ice cream?

Typically when adding “inclusions” like cookies, pretzels, brownies, pie crust, and certain oil, there’s more, but these are the common ones.

Are there currently any dairy and vegan ice cream products in the freezer case which have inclusions, without trans fat?

Yes there are, just start paying attention to the nutritional panel on the back of the package and be sure 0% follows trans fat.

I believe the FDA ruling is good for the consumer, forcing “lazy” manufacturers to look for alternative ingredients for their product. A number of “preactive” companies have already made the change, so not concerned of the ruling and deadline to terminate trans fat from the label. I have assisted clients in finding a like ingredient without trans fat and the cost did not change and supply was not limited. So when researching alternatives, don’t automatically consider the cost will be higher. If it is then shop another supplier, it could be possible you come across a manufacturer attempting to pass on a fabricated “operations” or “R&D” expense, but in actuality the trans fat free ingredient is already available and not a tall task to implement.

Will the ruling work in lowering coronary heart disease? It will surely help, but still not mitigate health issues because of other poor eating habits, little to no exercise, high sodium intake and stress. So eat your ice cream without trans fat, enjoy life and be active.

Contact Darryl, who can help you find alternative ingredients for your formula which do not contain Trans Fat. Your customers will thank you for making the change early.

Darryl David
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