The American society, together with most of the world, has increasingly consumed processed foods in recent years. Processed foods may contain, preservatives, among other chemicals that can adversely affect the health of the society. Such a trend is especially true when the consumption of unhealthy processed foods combines with poor lifestyle, pollution, among other factors that put the health of many people at risk. Among the most critical ingredient used widely in preparing processed foods that has come under scrutiny are trans-fats. Multiple scientific studies now correlate large consumptions of trans-fats with buildup of cholesterol within the body; hence, high risks to heart attack. Towards mitigating the adverse effects of PHO’s, the FDA …show more content…
The process used to manufacture PHO’s results in the formation of trans-fats. Multiple studies now correlate large consumption of trans-fats with buildup of cholesterol; hence, increasing the risk to heart diseases and heart attack. Heart attack is among the leading cause of death in the United States. Over the years, consumer welfare organizations have increasingly advocated for the banning of trans-fats in processed foods due to their potential adverse effect of health. The efforts of consumer welfare groups paid off when in 2003, the FDA made it mandatory for food processing companies to state the presence and level of trans-fats in the nutritional section of food products packaging. The 2003 FDA act on trans-fats labeling was implemented from 2003. Although many food processing companies subsequently reduced the percentage of trans-fats in their products by more than 80% following 2003 FDA Act, multiple studies show that consumption of trans-fats above 3% could lead to adverse outcomes. IN 2015, the FDA banned the use of trans-fats in processed foods unless under special permission from FDA. The law is to come into effect in