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Artificial Trans Fat Ban (1 Viewer)

AAABatteries

AAABatteries

Footballguy
Just heard that there will be an artificial trans fat ban. Can't find a good link but it seems like a good step by the FDA. Anyone have a link or more details?

 
Be prepared for crappy baked good from now on. Or at least a resurgence in the use of lard.

 
cstu said:
Has nothing to do with taste - companies use it because it's cheap and increases shelf life.
Click to expand...
Which should quickly lead us into the discussion about which restaurants can absorb the hit. If you're a mega-ultra-conglomerate like McDonald's and others who had seen this coming, it's nothing but a blip on the radar. If you competed with the big boys by dropping your price point by using trans fats, you'll suffer the consequences. It's likely another example of big corporations being able to survive regulations while lesser-known or smaller businesses get hammered. It's why there's a large strain of intellectualism that now realizes that regulation actually benefits larger players within an industry than it does mom and pop businesses (and possibly even consumers that support smaller businesses) because of lobbying, lawsuit budgets, anticipatory budgeting for regulations and lawsuits, and the ability to absorb temporary costs for longer views of the regulatory state.

When one considers this, one might ask why simple labeling disclosure isn't good enough for consumer protection.

 
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rockaction said:
cstu said:
Has nothing to do with taste - companies use it because it's cheap and increases shelf life.
Click to expand...
Which should quickly lead us into the discussion about which restaurants can absorb the hit. If you're a mega-ultra-conglomerate like McDonald's and others who had seen this coming, it's nothing but a blip on the radar. If you competed with the big boys by dropping your price point by using trans fats, you'll suffer the consequences. It's likely another example of big corporations being able to survive regulations while lesser-known or smaller businesses get hammered. It's why there's a large strain of intellectualism that now realizes that regulation actually benefits larger players within an industry than it does mom and pop businesses (and possibly even consumers that support smaller businesses) because of lobbying, lawsuit budgets, anticipatory budgeting for regulations and lawsuits, and the ability to absorb temporary costs for longer views of the regulatory state.
Click to expand...
Don't think of this as regulation. Think of it as undoing the effects of regulation. Think of it as deregulation.

The only reason to use artificial trans fats is that they are cheaper than real food. And the only reason they are cheaper is because the commodities they are made from are subsidized.

I would love to repeal all the subsidies in the Farm Bill. But if that's not feasible, we may as well ban the unhealthy "foods" that wouldn't exist but for the subsidies.

 
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Maurile Tremblay said:
rockaction said:
cstu said:
Has nothing to do with taste - companies use it because it's cheap and increases shelf life.
Click to expand...
Which should quickly lead us into the discussion about which restaurants can absorb the hit. If you're a mega-ultra-conglomerate like McDonald's and others who had seen this coming, it's nothing but a blip on the radar. If you competed with the big boys by dropping your price point by using trans fats, you'll suffer the consequences. It's likely another example of big corporations being able to survive regulations while lesser-known or smaller businesses get hammered. It's why there's a large strain of intellectualism that now realizes that regulation actually benefits larger players within an industry than it does mom and pop businesses (and possibly even consumers that support smaller businesses) because of lobbying, lawsuit budgets, anticipatory budgeting for regulations and lawsuits, and the ability to absorb temporary costs for longer views of the regulatory state.
Click to expand...
Don't think of this as regulation. Think of it as undoing the effects of regulation. Think of it as deregulation.

The only reason to use artificial trans fats is that they are cheaper than real food. And the only reason they are cheaper is because the commodities they are made from are subsidized.

I would love to repeal all the subsidies in the Farm Bill. But if that's not feasible, we may as well ban the "foods" that wouldn't exist but for the subsidies.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info about the subsidies and artificial trans fats. Nice to know. I'll look into it more. It really was just an immediate reaction given that McDonald's and other conglomerates had already eliminated this from their food, and it would seem that now smaller businesses of all scales that once depended on these foodstuff fillers (apparently created by subsidies) were now going to have to keep up.

And if (and this is simply a tokenism) what you assert is true, then this is where left-libertarianism has its arguments, doesn't it? That the correction of artificial bigness and cheapness created by government-instituted market distortions might have its answer in smarter and limited regulation at the unelected federal level?

This becomes a more philosophical issue, then, and one I'll leave out of thread in general, but I would imagine that condoning and supporting a federal, bureaucratic (and largely undemocratic) edict as opposed to a legislative, procedurally democratic decision would certainly test the limits of left-libertarianism as a form of libertarianism. At least, this is what I would imagine.

 
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Maurile Tremblay said:
The only reason to use artificial trans fats is that they are cheaper than real food. And the only reason they are cheaper is because the commodities they are made from are subsidized.

...we may as well ban the "foods" that wouldn't exist but for the subsidies.
Click to expand...
Shoot. You know way more about this that I do, but allow me one little wrench in the (de)regulatory system.

One of the reasons listed for the growth of trans fats in foods is the mandatory labeling of saturated fats back in the '80s and '90s. It's not just the subsidies, though I would completely oppose market distortions caused not by just regulation but also government grants, subsidies, redistribution, etc. There are those who claim that companies and corporations started using trans fats as a reaction to the mandatory labeling of saturated fats in foods, largely considered in the '80s and '90s to be terrible for you.

But trans fats were excluded from labeling. For example, reason magazine points out that when trans fats were required to be labeled by the FDA, their usage and consumption dropped significantly. It would seem that simple disclosure, rather than a ban, might accomplish the same ends. According to Peter Suderman, "Between 2006 and 2013, following both an FDA labeling requirement and a steady increase in warnings from food researchers that trans fats might not be all that healthy, average daily consumption dropped from 4.6 grams to 1 gram, according to The New York Times. The FDA is declaring total war on an enemy that has largely been defeated."

How much of this decrease that Suderman speaks of is a voluntary reduction in anticipation of the threat of a ban on trans fats -- and the subsequent anticipatory cost-shifting therefrom -- is likely unknown (or, at least, not cared enough about to be known) but it would seem that the regulatory state and public health officials were having an impact already. It doesn't necessarily seem like a potentially symbolic ban on a hated foodstuff was totally warranted. Consumers may very well have been dramatically shifting away from trans fats because of simple labeling and warnings from self-appointed public health officials.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
rockaction said:
Shoot. You know way more about this that I do, but allow me one little wrench in the (de)regulatory system.

One of the reasons listed for the growth of trans fats in foods is the mandatory labeling of saturated fats back in the '80s and '90s. It's not just the subsidies, though I would completely oppose market distortions caused not by just regulation but also government grants, subsidies, redistribution, etc. There are those who claim that companies and corporations started using trans fats as a reaction to the mandatory labeling of saturated fats in foods, largely considered in the '80s and '90s to be terrible for you.

But trans fats were excluded from labeling. For example, reason magazine points out that when trans fats were required to be labeled by the FDA, their usage and consumption dropped significantly. It would seem that simple disclosure, rather than a ban, might accomplish the same ends. According to Peter Suderman, "Between 2006 and 2013, following both an FDA labeling requirement and a steady increase in warnings from food researchers that trans fats might not be all that healthy, average daily consumption dropped from 4.6 grams to 1 gram, according to The New York Times. The FDA is declaring total war on an enemy that has largely been defeated."

How much of this decrease that Suderman speaks of is a voluntary reduction in anticipation of the threat of a ban on trans fats -- and the subsequent anticipatory cost-shifting therefrom -- is likely unknown (or, at least, not cared enough about to be known) but it would seem that the regulatory state and public health officials were having an impact already. It doesn't necessarily seem like a potentially symbolic ban on a hated foodstuff was totally warranted.

Consumers may very well have been dramatically shifting away from trans fats because of simple labeling and warnings from self-appointed public health officials.
Click to expand...
Consumers may have shifted away from trans fats with labeling and warnings alone, but I believe the threat of a ban magnified the seriousness of the problem for people.

Also, I wouldn't say that companies being allowed to slip in a 0.5 gram of trans fats per serving as defeating an enemy. Any amount of trans fats is bad for people and they provide very little benefit to the consumer (your donut might cost a penny less and stay fresh a little longer).

 
If there's one thing government does well, it's determine exactly what foods are healthy and unhealthy, and in what quantities, especially on the first go 'round. It's not like they've ever determined that their previous conclusions might have been completely off base.

 
Fast Food Restaurant Menu Items containing Artificial Trans Fats:

Jack in the Box: 24

  • Burger King: 16
  • White Castle: 16
  • A&W: 10
  • Dairy Queen: 8
  • McDonald's: 5
  • Arby's: 3
  • KFC: 2
  • Domino's: 1
  • Sonic: 1
  • In-N-Out Burger: 0
  • Subway: 0
  • Taco Bell: 0
  • Wendy's: 0
  • Pizza Hut: 0
  • Popeyes: 0
  • Little Caesars: 0
  • Papa John's: 0
 
The 88 Fast Food Items Most Likely To Kill You:


  1. White Castle Homestyle Onion Rings - Sack
    Trans Fat: 30 grams


White Castle Fish Nibblers - Sack
Trans Fat: 16 grams

KFC Chicken Pot Pie
Trans Fat: 14 grams

Burger King Hash Browns - Large
Trans Fat: 13 grams

White Castle Chicken Rings - 20 rings
Trans Fat: 13 grams

Jack in the Box Fish & Chips - Large
Trans Fat: 12 grams

Jack in the Box Bacon Cheddar Potato Wedges
Trans Fat: 12 grams

White Castle Clam Strips - Sack
Trans Fat: 12 grams

Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket 6-piece
Trans Fat: 12 grams

White Castle French Fries - Sack
Trans Fat: 11 grams

Jack in the Box Fish & Chips - Medium
Trans Fat: 10 grams

Jack in the Box Natural Cut Fries - Large
Trans Fat: 10 grams

Jack in the Box Onion Rings (8)
Trans Fat: 10 grams

Jack in the Box Seasoned Curly Fries - Large
Trans Fat: 10 grams

White Castle Onion Chips - Sack
Trans Fat: 10 grams

Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket 4-piece
Trans Fat: 10 grams

Burger King Hash Browns - Medium
Trans Fat: 9 grams

Jack in the Box Fish & Chips - Small
Trans Fat: 9 grams

Dairy Queen Large Onion Rings
Trans Fat: 9 grams

McDonald's Large French Fries
Trans Fat: 8 grams

Burger King French Fries King Size
Trans Fat: 7 grams

Domino's Garlic Dipping Sauce
Trans Fat: 7 grams

White Castle Onion Rings - Sack
Trans Fat: 7 grams

Jack in the Box Natural Cut Fries - Medium
Trans Fat: 7 grams

Jack in the Box Sampler Trio
Trans Fat: 7 grams

Jack in the Box Spicy Chicken Bites (16)
Trans Fat: 7 grams

Jack in the Box Seasoned Curly Fries - Medium
Trans Fat: 7 grams

Jack in the Box Spicy Chicken Biscuit
Trans Fat: 7 grams

Dairy Queen Regular Onion Rings
Trans Fat: 7 grams

Boston Market Pastry Top Chicken Pot Pie
Trans Fat: 7 grams

Arby's Apple Turnover
Trans Fat: 6.5 grams

Burger King BK Chicken Fries 12pc
Trans Fat: 6 grams

Burger King French Fries Large
Trans Fat: 6 grams

Burger King Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit
Trans Fat: 6 grams

Arby's Cherry Turnover
Trans Fat: 6 grams

White Castle Chicken Rings - 9 rings
Trans Fat: 6 grams

White Castle Clam Strips - Regular
Trans Fat: 6 grams

White Castle Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (10 sticks)
Trans Fat: 6 grams

Jack in the Box Chicken Biscuit
Trans Fat: 6 grams

Jack in the Box Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
Trans Fat: 6 grams

Dairy Queen Large Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard
Trans Fat: 6 grams

A&W Large Fries
Trans Fat: 5.5 grams

McDonald's Baked Apple Pie
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Burger King Sausage Biscuit
Trans Fat: 5 grams

McDonald's Medium French Fries
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Burger King Ham, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Burger King Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Burger King Hash Browns - Small
Trans Fat: 5 grams

White Castle Onion Chips - Regular
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Jack in the Box Natural Cut Fries - Small
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Jack in the Box Seasoned Curly Fries - Small
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Jack in the Box Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Jack in the Box Original French Toast Sticks (4)
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Jack in the Box Sausage Biscuit
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Dairy Queen Large French Fries
Trans Fat: 5 grams

Burger King BK Chicken Fries 9pc
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

McDonald's Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips (5 pc)
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

Boston Market Chocolate Cake
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

KFC Chicken and Biscuit Bowl
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

Burger King Onion Rings King Size
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

Burger King French Fries Medium
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

Sonic French Toast Sticks (4)
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

Jack in the Box Sourdough Ultimate Cheeseburger
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

Jack in the Box Stuffed Jalapenos (7)
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

Jack in the Box Blueberry French Toast Sticks (4)
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

White Castle Fish Nibblers - Regular
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

Dairy Queen Med. Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

A&W Onion Rings
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

A&W Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Trans Fat: 4.5 grams

Burger King Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich
Trans Fat: 4 grams

McDonald's Hotcakes (2 pats margarine & syrup)
Trans Fat: 4 grams

Burger King Onion Rings Large
Trans Fat: 4 grams

Burger King Cini-minis
Trans Fat: 4 grams

White Castle French Fries - Regular
Trans Fat: 4 grams

White Castle Homestyle Onion Rings - Regular
Trans Fat: 4 grams

White Castle Chicken Rings - 6 rings
Trans Fat: 4 grams

White Castle Hot Chocolate Large
Trans Fat: 4 grams

Arby's Cinnamon Twist
Trans Fat: 4 grams

A&W Papa Burger
Trans Fat: 4 grams

A&W Original Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Trans Fat: 4 grams

A&W Original Double Cheeseburger
Trans Fat: 4 grams

A&W Chili Cheese Fries
Trans Fat: 4 grams

A&W Cheese Fries
Trans Fat: 4 grams

A&W Chili Fries
Trans Fat: 4 grams

A&W Kids Fries
Trans Fat: 4 grams

Dairy Queen 1/2 lb. FlameThrower GrilllBurger
Trans Fat: 4 grams

Jack in the Box Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (6)
Trans Fat: 4 grams

Jack in the Box Sausage Croissant
Trans Fat: 4 grams

 
[icon] said:
Fast Food Restaurant Menu Items containing Artificial Trans Fats:

Jack in the Box: 24

  • Burger King: 16
  • White Castle: 16
  • A&W: 10
  • Dairy Queen: 8
  • McDonald's: 5
  • Arby's: 3
  • KFC: 2
  • Domino's: 1
  • Sonic: 1
  • In-N-Out Burger: 0
  • Subway: 0
  • Taco Bell: 0
  • Wendy's: 0
  • Pizza Hut: 0
  • Popeyes: 0
  • Little Caesars: 0
  • Papa John's: 0
Click to expand...
I basically never eat at those top offenders except McDonald's on occasion.

Researching the one place I do frequent, Chick-fil-a, it appears that did away with Artificial Trans Fats back in 2008 - http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/no-trans-fats-chick-fil-menu

I'm still trying to find a good link - seems like certain food types (salad dressings?) or companies will be hit hardest (obvious from icon's list).

 
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