A few years ago the FDA required that products containing trans fat must recognize that fact on their packaging. Today they are on the verge of removing it from all food products. It has been estimated that the new ruling could prevent 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths each year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/health/fda-trans-fats.html?hp&_r=0
Is this the best way to limit potentially harmful substances or should it be up to the consumers to stop buying these products? How does your opinion differ about this proposal as opposed to the soda tax discussed earlier, or do you feel the same way about these two health initiatives?
This is an amazing way to limit unhealthy substances in food which can save the lives of many, also its terrible for children and it can cut down on the child obesity population in America.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is even more important than soda. I feel like it is a perfect use of the governmental power to regulate and allows the government to remove a hugely dangerous fat.
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DeleteI really like Colin's comment here. I feel like the government is using their power for good here. Also, I feel as if trans fats are in the majority of common foods people like to eat and eliminating them will only help all members of this country and make them healthier.
DeleteI am definitely for the regulation. We need strong healthy people. Just another example of government and risk management.
ReplyDeleteYou would think consumers wouldn't buy things they knew were bad for them. But perhaps it's so cheap that people just getting by can't afford the luxury.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone here. Trans fat as well as all other deadly food ingredients should be banned. Personally speaking, it is extremely time consuming to look at the ingredients of every product I buy and still be unsure of some harmful ingredient that my food contains which I was unaware of.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting and it could work. There should be options for those who want the healthy stuff though, you cannot expect everyone to just be exited about sudden changes in their diet. This should be implemented over time.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good move by the FDA and that it should be implemented ASAP. The article stated that most companies and restaurants have already significantly reduced the amount of artificial trans fats in food. Therefore, it seems like this ban will be easy to implement, will be effective quickly, and will result in healthier lives.
ReplyDeleteWhile I think that this is a positive cause and would yield a positive outcome, I also think it might be even more effective to find ways to encourage economic incentives for producers not to include trans fats and for consumers not to demand it. Education would be one way of doing that. This is assuming that consumers have choices in their consumption, however. I support outright banning the substance for the low-end market where consumers cannot afford an alternative.
ReplyDeleteWow this is brilliant!
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