'Trans' action

Gram for gram, trans fat--essentially hydrogenated oil--is probably the most toxic food ingredient in the food supply. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that by 2009, 3 years after its new regulation requiring trans fat content to be listed on food labels takes effect, trans fat labeling will prevent 600-1,200 cases of coronary heart disease and 250-500 deaths each year. It takes about 3 years for lower LDL cholesterol to result in lower coronary heart disease risk.

But some manufacturers of processed foods are already removing heart-killing trans fats from their products--well in advance of the 2006 deadline for trans fat labeling. Don't be fooled, however, into thinking that unhealthful mainstream snacks will suddenly become healthful simply because their most dangerous fat has been removed or reduced. You still have to check labels for calories per portion as well as the amount of saturated fat, salt and nutritional value.

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