0 grams Trans Fat! originally uploaded by Marjie Kennedy
According to this piece on NPR, the FDA is going to start closer monitoring of the claims made on food labels in an attempt to ensure that consumers are not misled into believing a particular food may be healthy.
We see it all the time…low carb, no trans fats, low fat, sugar free, etc. But aside from the front of the package, how many of you take a closer look into actual fat content, calories, chemical additives, serving size, etc? Even if you don’t, are you fooled into believing that an particular ice cream is actually good for you because it has 0 grams of trans fat?
Is it really up to the FDA to protect stupid people from themselves? Honestly, as if someone looked at a box of doughnuts with a likely true label stating the lack of trans fats and thought to themselves, “Oh boy! Health food!”? Are we really getting to the point where the people who live in our country are so ridiculously moronic that we need the government to do this for us? Shouldn’t the FDA instead work on better educating the public as to what’s good and not good as opposed to wasting their time and the time of those in the food industry by limiting the true claims made on their packaging?
What do you think about this? Is the FDA going too far or is the overall health of Americans really gotten to the point where we should allow the government to step in, even more than it already does, and limit what’s placed on food packaging? Do you believe that instead they should spend their time on other more important items–such as labeling when genetically modified ingredients are used or when the item may have come from a plant previously found to spread deadly diseases which act in the short term?
Whatever you have to say about the FDA’s decision to go after companies and their packaging choices go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear what you have to say.
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March 4th, 2010 at 7:48 am
While I’m well aware of what foods will make my moobies bigger or smaller for the most part, I do see a valid point for having the labeling on the packaging. If someone is torn between two items, and looking for the healthier one, I’m guessing they’d be drawn towards the NTF label (but they should still read the nutrition info)
Now, Healthy vs. No Trans Fat are two different items totally, and the only thing that will correct that, is proper food education or a clue-by-4 upside the head.
I feel the FDA should have a blanket approach to foods, and those food with potentially dangerous plant life, or artery clogging fat should be dispensed with. Personally, I’m not a huge junk food guy, and if the 2lb McButterSlider Burger fell off the face of the earth, along with the premium Curly Steak Seasoned Arby Fry went away, I could really care less.
From my pointed perspective, America is obese for the most part (me included, and trying to fix it) – It’s quite easy to see that many parents don’t police their kids shit intake, or worse, feel that a drive thru dinner is totally acceptable on a daily basis..
That’s my two cents before I get off on a tangent and get ugly..
March 4th, 2010 at 7:58 am
The FDA is so political. Just look at the Food Pyramid and follow the money,
corn and grains. For example, science has NEVER supported that fat clogs arteries. There is no scientific evidence that eating fat makes you fat. We can observe the increase in obesity and the increase in “educated” eaters who believe a low-fat diet will make you thinner. Junk science isn’t just for climate change. So to answer the question…I hope the FDA makes it clear what is in our food. I also hope the influence held by political machines stops infilltrating our media and schools so another generation doesn’t get fatter and sicker on junk science.
March 4th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Woodz and Susan made it easy for me by already posting a lot of what I was going to say. Thanks :)
I pay a great deal of attention to what’s written on the front AND the back of food labels. When I see the claims on the front, my bullshit filet goes into full gear, “What are you NOT telling me?”
(I wanted to grab what Susan said and run with it, cuz i agree with her. But I’ll get so fired up and in a lather I’ll never get anything done today; maybe some other time. ;) )
Remember, M&Ms are “always a fat-free food!” :P
FWIW: I find keeping a food diary is super handy. Been using the iPhone apps from dailyburn.com to show me what a fucking pig I am. (No, I have no financial interest in posting that, in case anybody wonders.)
March 4th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Come on Bill, I buy everything based solely on the information located within a big, bright star. If the label doesn’t have text screaming to me about its goodness within a huge star, I just don’t buy it. Acceptable messages include, “Reduced fat,” “0% trans fat,” “Sugar-free!” and “Now 20% more!” That last one especially pulls me in.
March 4th, 2010 at 9:21 am
I’m terrible at marketing related B.S. mostly because I’ve never found myself to fall for marketing b.s. For me, when something says 0% trans fat, then that’s all it means to me. That any fat it has in it is no more than .49 grams of Trans fat.
Personally I think they should take any dollar they were going to spend on labeling oversight and put it into K-12 education. Educate the youth to be able to figure it out for themselves.
March 4th, 2010 at 10:06 am
I agree with you Bill. People are morons. Its just like the Taco Bell diet that was discussed on here. There really is not a healthy fast food place (short of ordering a salad w/out dressing), just as there is not a “healthy” donut. Hopefully the dumb people will continue to believe the labels and kill themselves off! Survival of the fittest! I think we would be better off to put a label on the food that says “your fat ass needs to run 1/2 mile for each donut you eat. I could eat all the shit food I wanted when I was in HS/college because I was MUCH more active. Excercise and portion control!